Chong Ok Gardner

Chong Ok Gardner, age 63, passed away on Friday, March 31, 2023 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Chong was born on August 12, 1959 to her father, Jongki Kim (deceased 1982), and her mother, Aeja Cho (d. 1995), in Seoul, South Korea. She grew up in a large family and was the youngest daughter with six loving siblings (eldest brother Kyungho Kim, d. 1996). Her youth was spent in the large metropolis of Seoul and in 1982 she met her husband, Air Force Veteran Timothy Kent Gardner. The pair were married in 1983 and enjoyed 40 blessed years of wedded bliss. Chong is the proud mother to two loving daughters, Mary, born in 1985, and Susan, born in 1986 the following year. Tim’s Air Force career took the family to assignments in Oklahoma, Texas, Guam and, finally, to Northwest Florida where they bought a home and settled in the city of Crestview in 1999.

Chong’s life was deeply rooted in faith and family. She excelled at motherhood and was the foundation for every milestone and achievement the family earned. Like the story of Jesus feeding the multitudes with only five loaves and two fishes, Chong had a special way of creating abundance in each of our lives. She was industrious, meticulous, patient and kind. As a founding member of the church, she spent countless hours giving her time and energy to the community. She served God as a deacon, treasurer, Bible study leader and choir member. 

Chong is survived by her husband Tim, her two children Mary and Susan, son-in-law Adam and two grandchildren Colin and Liam. Additionally, her brother Kyungyong Kim, and sisters Mija Kim, Jungja Kim, Jungsook Kim and Seonhee Kim who all reside in South, Korea. 

Chong will be honored in a memorial service held on Saturday, April 8,10:00 am, at New Life Korean Church off of Old Bethel Road in Crestview. Her final resting place is overlooking the sea at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida.