The Honorable James Knoll Gardner of Emmaus, PA, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of PA died on April 26, 2017 at the age of 76, after two and a half years tenaciously battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). A loving husband to Linda Klenk Gardner, Jim was known for his resilience, strength of character, loyalty, attention to detail, and dedication to his career as a jurist, for which he possessed an enduring passion for his work on the Federal bench.

Jim could be spotted cruising around Allentown listening to the tunes of Miles Davis in his red BMW convertible, likely on his way from the bench, which he sat on for 36 years (22 years as a Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas judge and 14 years as a United States District Judge) to a tennis match, soccer game, or piano concert to proudly support one of his four daughters. Despite the long hours he put towards hearing court cases and writing detailed opinions, he never missed dinner with his family.

When not deliberating over a case or instructing a jury, Jim, a clarinetist himself, could be found listening to the orchestral sounds of the Allentown Symphony, of which he was an active member of the Board of Directors for 29 years, carrying on the legacy of his late parents, the Hon. Theodore R. Gardner and Margaret K. Gardner, who were founding members of the ASA. Other boards that Jim was actively involved in throughout his lifetime, include, the Boys and Girls Club of Allentown; the Police Athletic League; the 15th Congressional District Military

Academy Selection Board; Board of Associates for Muhlenberg College; Minsi Trails Council; and the Yale Alumni Schools Committee.

Jim served on active duty as an officer in the United States Navy, Judge Advocate General's Corps, (1966 - 1969) and as a reservist for 24 years from 1969 - 1993, where he advanced to the rank of Captain and served as an Appellate Military Judge on the United States Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review in Washington, DC. As a Military Judge, Captain Gardner presided over 77 active duty military courts-martial. Of his many accolades and awards, Jim received the Meritorious Service Medal from the President of the United States, "for outstanding meritorious service as a Military Judge while serving with the Naval Reserve Trial Judiciary from October 1985 to October 1991;" and a

Navy Commendation Medal for Heroism.

An avid Boy Scout, Jim received the highest honor granted within the Boy Scouts Association of America, the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. In his youth as a Boy Scout, Jim attended the International Jubilee Jamboree in Sutton-Goldfield, England (1957), where he played the clarinet with the United States Boy Scouts of America Band, for the Queen of England.

Jim graduated Magna Cum Laude from Yale University (1962) with a B.A. in American Studies Honors program, and Harvard Law School (1965) with a Juris Doctorate. From 1965 -1966 and 1969-1970, Jim was an associate with the law firm Duane, Morris & Heckscher, in Philadelphia, PA, as a litigator, and from 1970 -1981 he was a partner with his father and sister, Audrey Racines, in Gardner, Gardner & Racines, engaged in general practice. Jim served as First Assistant District Attorney of Lehigh County from 1977-1981 and was an Assistant District

Attorney from 1972-1977.

In 1980, Judge Gardner was appointed by former PA Governor Dick Thornburgh to the Court of Common Pleas of PA. He was elected to a ten year term in the General Election in 1981, and was retained for an additional ten year term in 1991. From 1997 - 2002, Judge Gardner served a five-year term as President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County and served a term as the President of the Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges (1996-1997).

In 2002, President George W. Bush appointed Judge Gardner to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of PA; he was confirmed by the Senate and received his commission on October 3, 2002. Jim took great pride in being a federal judge and considered this the greatest achievement of his life. He worked around the clock to be a conscientious preserver of justice and was equally passionate about mentoring the next generation of lawyers, educating students and adults alike about civic duty and the law. He loved and valued those who worked alongside him through his many years of service to law and the community.

He was a lifetime member of St. John's UCC in Emmaus, where he taught an adult Sunday school class, and served as a deacon and elder.

Survivors: Jim is survived by his wife, Linda Kay Gardner, and their four daughters: Christine Hanna (children: Alexis and Ainsley); Andrea Merrill (husband, Paul; children, Jacob and Parker); Victoria Misenti (husband, Kyle, children, Leo and Peter); and Stephanie Gardner; in addition to his brother, Theodore R. Gardner II, and his sister, Audrey Gardner Racines. Jim will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and colleagues.

Services: Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at 11:00 AM in St. John's U.C.C., 139 North 4th Street, Emmaus. Viewing Monday, May 1, 2017 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM in the church. Interment with military honors will follow in Northwood Cemetery. Schantz Funeral Home, P.C., Emmaus is handling arrangements.

Contributions: In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Allentown Symphony Association and St. John's UCC, Emmaus.