James Gardner

James H. (Razor) Gardner passed away on November 22, 2022 at the age of 72, at his home in Rockton, Illinois. Jim was born in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, on April 29,1950, as the oldest of 4 children to Howard and Mildred Gardner. His early years were filled with playing high school football, playing in a popular local band, the Marquis, and spending time hunting and fishing with his family and friends in the beautiful Kentucky lakes and fields. In 1967, he graduated from Elizabethtown High School as a highly talented wide receiver and went on to play college football at Morehead State University for 3 years. After working several jobs following his college experience, Jim settled in to a long and very successful career with Gates Rubber company where he advanced to the position of Production Manager and retired in Rockton, Illinois after almost 40 years of faithful service.
Jim was far from ready to settle into retirement after his career at Gates so he decided to open
Jime Z’s Sports Bar in Roscoe, Illinois where he spent many years enjoying his time with his customers and friends. Jim opened up a second business in downtown Rockton close to his home where he spent much of latter years enjoying the company of his close friends and regulars. Jim remained actively involved with the Rockton community and his business well into his early 70s until health issues began to ensue. At the end of his life, he retained his fierce independence and chose to enter hospice care rather than extend his life by accepting cancer treatment or life in a skilled nursing facility. He passed peacefully in his sleep.

He is survived by an estranged daughter, MacKenzie, and loving furry companions “Norton” and
“Harley”.

A funeral ceremony will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, December 2, 2022 at McCorkle Funeral Home - Rockton Chapel. 767 N. Blackhawk Blvd., Rockton, IL with Rev. Dan Herman officiating. Cremation Rites to be Accorded. A visitation will be held from 12:30 p.m., until time of service, Friday. A celebration of life will be held at Jime Z’s Sports Bar in Roscoe, Illinois on December 2, 2022 at 4:00 p.m., following his funeral.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Noah's Ark, 111 N. 1st St., Rockford, IL 61107, or by clicking the link: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?id=5&name=E343085

To view additional details about James's Services, including any available live streams: https://my.gather.app/remember/james-gardner-nov-2022