Patrick Michael Gard, a most beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, of Columbus, Mississippi, died Tuesday, March 29, 2016, at his home.

Visitation will be Sunday April 3, 2016 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Wesley United Methodist Church, Columbus, MS. A Memorial Service will follow at 2:00 PM at Wesley United Methodist Church with Rev. Diane Lemmon officiating and Lowndes Funeral Home, Columbus, MS directing.

Patrick was born September 22, 1965, in Seattle, Washington, to Kathleen Marie Larson Gard and Roy Michael Gard.  He was married to Debby Whitt on August 5, 1989.

"Papa," as he was lovingly known to his family, was a friend to everyone.  He, literally, never met a stranger.  He was kind, generous, and loyal to a fault.  He worked hard and loved his work.  Patrick left his "real" job in 2011 to become a farmer.  He and Debby were blessed to live on "The Spurlock Place," a pecan orchard that he believed to be the most beautiful place on earth. Papa grew wonderful vegetables and, over the years, turned a hobby into a full-time operation.  He began adding farm animals so that his three grandchildren would grow up learning to care for and nurture all God's creatures.   His hope was that he would pass on the love that he had for his land to them.  Farming, to Papa, even though it was hard work, was a joy. It was his belief that, by his work, he was giving more to the world than he was taking from it, and that is an honor that does not come to everyone.  Patrick's life was one of simple abundance.  His main job, he believed, was loving his wife, his children, and his grandchildren.

Patrick was very proud of his years of service as a United States Marine.  He was true to the Corps, flying his Semper Fi flag proudly.  He learned discipline as a Marine, and he taught his children that same discipline.

Patrick was a Christian in every respect.  He was taught to be a good and honorable man by his wonderful parents whom he adored.  He was so much like them, giving and forgiving, and was very proud to be their son.  Patrick was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church and deeply loved his church family.  He proudly served as an usher at Wesley and served on many church committees over the years.  He was beloved by the ladies of Trinity Place, as he shuttled them to Wesley on Sunday mornings.  They listened to Tennessee Ernie Ford singing gospel music every Sunday morning on the way to Wesley.  Patrick learned and loved all those songs and loved all his "girls" as he so fondly called them.

The love and respect for Patrick was so great and stretched so far that the Mississippi Senate was adjourned early in his memory on the day following his death.

Patrick's death leaves a void for his family that will never be filled.  He is survived by his loving wife of twenty-seven years, Debby Whitt Gard, his parents, Mike and Kathy Gard, his beloved son, Whitt Schwalenberg and his wife Angie, his beloved daughter Taylor Pruett and her husband Drew, and his three adored and beloved grandchildren, Madalyn Schwalenberg, Emmy Pruett, and Patrick Pruett, his namesake.  He is also survived by his sister, Lisa Bartley and her husband Michael, his sister Sharon Gard, his brother-in-law, Skip Whitt and his wife Janet, 5 nieces and nephews and a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins.  Patrick loved his family above all else.

Honorary Pallbearers are Jack McGee, Brent Vickery, Danny Watson, David Ashmore, Roger Lovick, Rick Young, Paul Miller, Raj Shaunak, Bill Pruett, Danny Smith, Craig Mitchell, Jeremy Ross, Matthew Molina, David Wilkerson, and Andy Cagle.

In lieu of flowers, Patrick's family requests that memorials be made to Wesley United Methodist Church, Columbus, 511 Airline Road, Columbus, MS 39702.

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