Dr. Joseph H. Gardner III

Celebration of Life Service for Dr. Joseph Henry Gardner, III will be held on Monday, March 18, 2024 @ 11:00 A.M. in our chapel. Visitation will be held on Monday, March 18, 2024 from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M.. Please express your condolences on our website. Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory South Dekalb Chapel 404.241.5656. Dr. Joseph Henry Gardner III, affectionately known as Uncle Joe or Dean Gardner, was born September 3, 1946 in Brooklyn, NY to the late Joseph and the late Cyslin Gardner. The oldest of 4 siblings, he attended the public schools of Brooklyn and graduated from Erasmus Hall High School in 1964. He had a special love for tennis, martial arts and running track and had a dream of running in the Olympics. After graduating high school, Joseph enrolled in Central State University in Wilberforce, OH where he continued tennis and track, and was active in the Young Democrats Student Government and the Dormitory Council. Joseph earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1969 and departed campus as a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. Upon completion of his undergraduate studies, Joseph attended graduate school at The Atlanta University where he reactivated the Eta Tau Chapter of Omega Psi Phi on campus. Joseph not only earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration in1973 but met and fell in love with Raynette Hammond. The two were married in Philadelphia in 1974 and eventually settled in South Orange, NJ where they raised their daughter, Cherrón Alicia until Raynette’s passing in 2001. While living in New Jersey, Joseph was active in the local Omega chapter, Eta Pi, the CSU Alumni Association, Church and volunteered with several organizations. Though he worked several corporate positions, his heart belonged to Higher Education. In 1989, Joseph returned to Central State University where he served as Director of Alumni Affairs until 1992 and Dean of Students from 1992 – 1996. During his tenure at CSU he mentored students across campus. Central State and Omega Psi Phi were two pillars of Joseph’s life, and he never missed an opportunity to encourage people to consider both. He sponsored College Fairs and assisted in College Tours to CSU. He organized luncheons to raise scholarship funds for CSU students and started a Foundation to assist students attending CSU with scholarships. He assisted parents and students with their challenges at CSU. He was a lifetime member of Omega Psi Phi, serving as the President in earlier years and was always supportive of the brotherhood. Joseph returned to NJ in 1996 and began working on his Doctor of Philosophy alongside his wife, Raynette. In 2002 he earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree from Seton Hall University. In 2005 Joseph married Judith Thornton and moved to Southfield, Michigan where he remained a lifetime member of Omega Psi Phi and was an active member of Hope United Methodist Church for 14 years. He displayed his love for HBCU's and higher education as the chairperson of the Higher Ed committee at Hope and through volunteer work. Though not married for the last 4 years of his life Joseph and Judith remained great friends. On March 8, 2024, Dr. Joseph Henry Gardner, III was called home. He is survived by his daughter, Cherrón, brother Lawrence, sisters Adrienne and Linda, nieces, nephews, cousins and many family and friends who loved him. He had a faith in God and a positive attitude that was contagious. He will be buried in New Jersey with Raynette and greatly missed by all who knew him.

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Dr. Joseph H. Gardner III

September 3, 1946 - March 8, 2024