Typed as spelled and written
- Lena Stone Criswell

GORDON GARDNER

Surnames: GARDNER, BIRD, TOLBERT, SPARKS, PENNINGTON, ARMSTRONG, CARPENTER, LEUSCHNER, HAWKES, JORDAN, PIERSON.

Waco Tribune-Herald
Sunday, Oct. 23, 2002

GORDON GARDNER

       Gordon Gardner of McGregor died Friday morning, Oct. 11, 2002, at the age 85.  Graveside services and interment were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, 2002 at Oakwood Cemetery in Waco, directed by Cole Funeral Home, 1113 West Fifth St., McGregor, with the Rev. David Bird of Trinity Valley Church in Carrollton, Texas, officiating.

       Mr. Gardner was born Feb. 9, 1917, in Chilton, Texas, the son of the late Lloyd and Mary (Tolbert) Gardner.  As an infant, he moved to Waco and was a 1935 graduate of Waco High School.  He continued his education at Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tenn., earing his law degree in 1938.  During World War II, he served his country in the United States Navy Air Corps as a pilot.  From 1940 to 1972, he was employed by Citizens National Bank in Waco.  That same year, he became president and chief executive officer of First National Bank in McGregor.  On July 15, 2002, he retired from the banking profession.  Through the years, he has been active in various civic organizations in Waco.  For almost 61 years, he was a member of Columbus Avenue Baptist Church.  He served as director for American Income Life Insurance Company and was a trustee of Hillcrest Baptist Memorial Hospital of 19 years.  He was preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Gladys Sparks Gardner and a sister, Lucille Gardner.

       Survivors include his wife of 19 years, Betty Perry Gardner; one daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and Robert Pennington; grandchildren, Christopher and Brynne Pennington; step-children, Betsy and Ernie Armstrong, Mary Beth and Jimmy Carpenter.  Brenda and David Bird; grandchildren, Amy, Jeff and Molly Armstrong, Jennifer and Mark Leuschner, Jana and Brian Hawkes, Jay Carpenter, Austin, Jordan and Cameron Bird; great-grandchild, Gracie Leuschner; a sister, Loretta Pierson; four nephews; and a niece.

       For those desiring, the family has suggested Hillcrest Community Hospice, 3215 Pine Ave., Waco, Texas, 76708 or the charity of the donor's own choosing for memorial contributions.

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