Gardner Howard Altman Jr.

Gardner Howard Altman Jr., 78, passed away peacefully at his home in Chapel Hill, seated on his veranda, facing south, and looking out over the town of Chapel Hill that he loved with all his heart.

Born on November 29, 1946, to Gardner Howard Altman Sr. and Velma Lee Beasley, Gardner lived a full and remarkable life defined by curiosity, generosity, and deep connection with the people and places around him. Raised with a strong sense of purpose and commitment to learning, he went on to earn a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Class of ’68), a J.D. from UNC Law School (’71), and an LLM focused on International Law from Georgetown University (’84).

Gardner spent his entire professional life as a self-employed attorney, offering guidance, wisdom, and steady counsel to individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations across the country. His career was not just a job—it was a calling rooted in service, ethics, and the belief that good advice can help others flourish. He remained committed to his family, friends and associates maintaining that all things happen “By, With, Through, and For People!”

He was a proud member of the American Bar Association, the North Carolina Bar Association, and was duly admitted and qualified as an attorney and counselor of the Supreme Court of the United States. He was also honored with the Order of the Longleaf Pine, one of North Carolina’s most esteemed recognitions for service to the state.

Gardner had a lifelong love for vintage cars, horses, and everything UNC! He found joy in the saddle of a beautiful quarter horse, in the leather seat of a fine sports car, in a tailored blazer from Julian’s, in a quiet booth at the Carolina Coffee Shop drinking a hot mocha (with whip!) and enjoying good food and fellowship. He loved history, philosophy, travel, meaningful books, and long conversations among family and friends. He is known for many clever quips. Some of his more famous lines include: “Climb up in the tree (Who’s in the picture? What are they doing? Why are they doing it?);” “Pray, Think, Work” (Pray about things of God, Think about ways of man, and Work in your own way to keep them balanced); “You’ve got to know when it’s time to ‘Turn the Page’”; and “Put it on a postcard” (if you truly understand something, you can fit it on a postcard). And finally, he would often say “Sometimes you just have to love you way through it.” - and that he most certainly did.

During his life, Gardner devoted much of his time and energy to philanthropy and community outreach. Gardner was responsible for the creation of “Hogs and Rags,” an annual charity ride for motorcycles (Hogs) and convertibles (Rags) from his family farm in White Oak, NC ((Rockin’ A Ranch) to Myrtle Beach, SC. This was a source of immense pride and enjoyment for him. At this same farm, he was well-known for hosting an annual Thanksgiving gathering that brought together family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and community leaders from across the state. He was heavily involved with the UNC Law School throughout his life as a friend, mentor, and donor. He served three terms on the Carolina Law Alumni Association Board and was a member of the inaugural board for the law school’s Center for Climate, Energy, Environment, and Economics. He valued education and served on the executive team for Advantaged Capital for Education; a group of affiliated organizations committed to helping communities improve the quality of their schools. He believed, “If you can help keep children healthy and educate them, they can have a productive and meaningful life.”

But Gardner’s true legacy was the life he built beyond his work. He married his beloved Mary Ray on September 2, 1964, and together they raised three children- Kelley, Ashely, and Tres, fondly known as “KAT.” Though their lives eventually took different paths, Gardner and Mary remained best friends and loving co-parents, sharing a deep commitment to their family. Everything Gardner did was for his children and family! He was a devoted grandfather, affectionately known as “Papa.” He prioritized each grandchild, and he fostered unique relationships with each one. He enjoyed traveling, philosophizing, learning “cool words,” watching car shows like Top Gear and talking “car shop” with Cameron (29). Papa was Ryan’s (25) biggest sports fan, traveling to football, baseball, and basketball games across the country, challenging him to free throw contests in the driveway, and encouraging him to play from the “Neck Up.” He loved traveling to baseball parks with Shane (18), watching him perform in the church choir (especially the Singing Christmas Tree at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church), talking with him about sports players and statistics during meals, and sharing a mutual love for the Tarheels! West (13), his namesake, inherited and shared Papa’s love for reading, learning, traveling and storytelling, and they enjoyed “tractor time” at the farm and collecting coins from around the world together. Lua (10) brightened his condo walls with her amazing artwork, shared his love for horses, and amazed him at her ballet recitals as well as with impromptu theatrical performances at his condo. Zora (3) was his beam of sunshine as she lit up his world with her smile, dance moves, and “Papa kisses.”

He is survived by his children: Kelley Altman Greer, Ashely Altman Bordeaux, and Gardner H. Altman III (Molly Rae Altman); his cherished grandchildren: Cameron Davis Greer, Ryan Altman Greer, Taylor Shane Bordeaux, Gardner H. Altman IV (West), Lua Grace Altman, and Zora Rose Altman; his nephews: Raymond Howard Sowell and Andrew Merritt Sowell; and his dear friend and the mother of his children, Mary Ray Byrd.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Gardner Sr. and Velma Lee, and his sister, Constance Lee Altman.

Gardner passed away peacefully due to complications with cardiac arrhythmia.

A celebration of Gardner’s life will be held the afternoon of October 4, 2025, at Mariah’s Glen Farm in Southern Pines, NC. Details will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Gardner’s memory be made to causes close to his heart. Philanthropy and supporting his community were important to him, both in life and death. During his life, he established multiple funds and contributed to many nonprofits across North Carolina, spanning education and health. The family invites those looking to honor his life and legacy to give to a charity of their choice and one that was meaningful to Gardner. The family recommends gifts be made to one or more of the following causes:

• UNC Health Foundation supporting either autism or urologic cancer care and research at the following link: http://www.unchf.org/GardnerAltman

• Connie Lee Altman Memorial Scholarship which provides scholarships for full-time students pursuing an undergraduate degree in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHASS) who have overcome challenges such as disabilities. Checks (made payable to the scholarship) can be mailed to: The College of Humanities and Social Sciences, NC State University, Campus Box 7106, Raleigh, NC 27695-7016. Gifts can also be made online directly at go.ncsu.edu/connieleealtmanscholarship