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The Rev. Canon Dr. Marvin Allen Gardner, Jr.
<p>The Rev. Canon Dr. Marvin Allen Gardner Jr., 83, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 6, 2026, in Salem, Va.</p><p><br></p><p>He was born in Washington, D.C., on March 15, 1943, to Marvin Allen Gardner and Lillian McCracken Gardner. Marvin was the devoted husband of Laura Churchill Mink Gardner.</p><p><br></p><p>Dr. Gardner spent his early years in New York, Maryland, and Virginia. His last 29 years were spent in Roanoke or Salem, Va. He graduated from the University of Maryland and the Episcopal Theological Seminary in Alexandra, Va. He served as a Priest in Episcopal parishes in Mount Vernon, New York and Waldorf, Md. He also specialized in pastoral counseling. The latter led to his studying pastoral theology and completing a Doctor of Ministry at Wesley Seminary in Washington, D.C., a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the Union Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio and a course of study at the Psychiatric Institute in Washington, D.C. Dr. Gardner served as a pastoral counselor and as a center director for 10 years with the Pastoral Counseling and Consultation Centers of Greater Washington followed by the private practice of clinical psychology in Northwestern Washington.</p><p><br></p><p>Prior to 1997, Dr. Gardner left the Episcopal Church and was received into the Anglican Catholic Church as a Priest. He and his family moved to Roanoke, Va., where he served as Rector of St. Thomas of Canterbury ACC and later served also as Canon to the Archbishop of the Anglican Catholic Church.</p><p><br></p><p>After retiring from parish ministry at age 65, he served as a staff clinical psychologist at Psychological Health Roanoke for the next 10 years.</p><p><br></p><p>He is survived by his wife, Laura Churchill Mink Gardner of Litchfield, Conn.; his three children, Stephen Gregory Gardner (Laurie) of Asheville, NC, Charles Treadway Gardner (Rebecca) of Greenville, SC, and Laura Faith Mitchell (Cory) of Severn, Md. He leaves seven grandchildren, Alex Petrick, Charleston, Juniper, and August Gardner, as well as Lucy, Ellie, and Margot Mitchell.</p><p><br></p><p>In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his daughter, Sarah Elizabeth Gardner.</p><p><br></p><p>Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at St. Thomas of Canterbury ACC with the Right Reverend Jeffrey S. Johnson officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations be made to St. Thomas of Canterbury Anglican Catholic Church, 4910 Hubert Rd NW, Roanoke, VA 24012</p><p><br></p><p><br></p>March 15, 1943 - July 6, 202603/15/194307/06/2026
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The Rev. Canon Dr. Marvin Allen Gardner, Jr.
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