Peyton “Pete” Harris Gardner

Wilmington, DE – Peyton (Pete) Harris Gardner, age 93, of Quarryville, Pa formerly of Wilmington, Delaware passed away peacefully on Monday, August 29, 2022 at the Quarryville Presbyterian Retirement Community in Quarryville, PA.

Peyton was born to Frank Gardner, Sr. and Ruth Harris Gardner in Wilmington.

He served in the U.S. Army and graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in mechanical engineering. He worked for Hercules for 45 years. He was a professional engineer, serving for many years on the ASME B 31.3 Process Piping Code committee. He designed chemical plants for Hercules worldwide and retired as Chief Engineer.

On June 21, 1953 he married Betty Ann Posey. They had 3 daughters, Kathryn Adams (Jon,) Martha Zeher (Mike), and Sarah Jane Gardner. Sarah Jane preceded her parents in death in 1969 and his wife died earlier this year. He found great joy in being Papa to 7 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

A long-time elder, trustee, treasurer, and church musician at Emmanuel Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Pete oversaw the building’s expansion and played the trombone weekly in worship. He served his denomination in many capacities and was the chairman of the Trinity Hymnal revision committee. The hymnal is used in churches and homes all over the world.

He played trombone for decades in The First State Symphonic Band and in several local swing bands. He was a handyman extraordinaire and loved cars and model cars, woodworking, the model railroads he constructed indoors and out, kites, and family trips to Disney World and the Outer Banks. He loved to camp in his VW Vanagon and served as a Boy Scout master for many years. He ran thousands of laps at the Wilmington YMCA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Frank Gardner, Jr and sister Mary ,(Gardner) Oliver, his daughter Sarah Jane Gardner, and by his wife of 68 years, Betty Ann Posey Gardner. He is survived by daughters Kathryn Gardner Adams (Jon) and Martha Gardner Zeher (Mike), 7 grandchildren, Ashley Ewer, Jenna Zeher, Sarah Peyton Hill, Peyton Zeher, Jordan Adams, Ben Zeher and Anne McPherson and 9 great-grandchildren and by 5 nieces and 2 nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Emmanuel Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 1006 Wilson Rd., Wilm., DE on Saturday, September 10 at 2pm. All are welcome to a dessert reception at the church following the service. A private burial will precede the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Emmanuel Presbyterian Church 1006 Wilson Rd Wilmington DE 19803, or The First State Symphonic Band 914 Thomas Rd Wilmington, DE 19803.