James Kevin Gard

GARD, James Kevin "Kevin"
Portage, Michigan Kevin went to be with the Lord on October 1, 2008, after a long battle with an illness. He was born April 1, 1955, in Wilkinsburg, PA, the youngest son of James E. and Betty C. Johnson Gard. Kevin moved to the Kalamazoo area with his family in 1964 and graduated from Portage Northern High School in 1975. He loved music and spending time with his numerous friends, family and grandchildren. Kevin was a very talented organist, keyboard player and singer. He played with many bands including Methusela, Crash Dummies, Bad Oscar, The Blast, Aurora and Southern Impact. He was also employed at Keyboard World for several years. Kevin touched the lives of everyone around him. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed. Kevin is survived by: his wife, Debbie; four children, Amanda Gard of Hastings, Tom Kami Hammond of Portage, Frances Justin Miller of Tucson, AZ and Cari Philip Derby of Casper, WY; five grandsons, Thomas, Tyler, Zechariah, Enoch and Luke; a brother, Don Gard; a nephew Mike Gard and a niece Nicole Gard. Services will be held at 2:00 Monday afternoon at First Free Will Baptist Church, 630 Moline St., with Pastor John Vick, officiating. Burial in Mount Ever-Rest Cemetery will follow services. Visitation will be held at the church beginning at 12 noon. Memorial contributions should be directed to the family. Arrangements by Langeland family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre Ave. www.langelands.com 269-343-1508