Mr. Richard L. Gardner, 86, of Union City, died 9:15 a.m. Friday, July 15, 2011, at his home.

Memorial services will be held at a later date. Edmaiston-Mosley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Gardner was born July 7, 1925, in Riverdale Heights, Maryland, son of the late Dorothy (McBride) and Ted Carroll Gardner, Sr. He married Rita (Harmon) Fowler on December 30, 2003. She survives. Mr. Gardner was a retired Captain for the District of Columbia Fire Department, a retired member of Riverdale Heights Volunteer Fire Department and a member of the Retired Firefighters Association of Washington. He was a lifetime member of the U.S. Chess Federation where he served as a national tournament director. Mr. Gardner was a World War II Navy veteran.

He is also survived by his son, Richard L. Gardner, Jr., of Cambridge, Massachusetts; his step-sons, Skip Tilghman and Todd Tilghman both of Union City; two sisters, Jean Hart of Brevard, North Carolina and formerly of Union City and Rosemary Webb of Byrans Road, Maryland; his brother Ted Gardner, Jr. of Plantation, Florida; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Anna Marie "Annie" Frederickson and his son, Jeffery Collin Gardner.

Edmaiston-Mosley Funeral Home (731) 885-1033