August L. Gardner (Lebanon)'s Obituary
August Laverne Gardner, son of Harry “Boots” and Leona League Gardner, was born November 21, 1936, in Mount Vernon, Missouri. He departed this life Thursday, September 18, 2014, in Mount Vernon Veteran’s Home, in Mount Vernon, Missouri, at the age of seventy-seven years, nine months, and twenty-seven days.
On December 29, 1969, he was united in marriage to Brenda Sue Meents, and they shared the last forty-four years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Charles and Harvey Gardner; and two sisters, Betty Chipman, and Janie Washam.
“Augie”, as he was called by his family and friends, is survived by his loving wife, Brenda, of the home; two sons, Danny Gardner, and his wife, Hazel, of Springfield, Missouri, and Donnie Gardner, of Kansas City, Missouri; three daughters, Deanna Ridinger, of Springfield, Missouri, Jan Stroh, and her husband, Jim, of Bellevue, Washington, and Jill Cook, and her husband, Scott, of Willard, Missouri; five grandchildren, Benjamin, William, Samuel, Madalyn, and Destiny; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was born and raised in the Mount Vernon, Missouri community, and graduated from Mount Vernon High School. He then served his country faithfully in the United States Air Force from June 21, 1955, until being honorably discharged on April 20, 1959. During his years in the military, he worked in air traffic control and also was involved in the mid-air refueling of aircrafts. Through the years, Augie was employed in the food distribution business, and worked for Highland Dairy, Colonial Bread Company, and retired from Kraft Foods. He and Brenda made their home in the Phillipsburg area for several years, and then retired to Springfield.
Augie was a longtime member of the Church of Christ and was always active in a church in or near where he lived.
In his spare time he enjoyed playing golf, and was a member of the Lebanon Country Club for a number of years. He liked sports of all kinds but greatly enjoyed attending Southwest Missouri University Bears games. He also liked hunting each year. He was a man of his word and stood steadfast to his convictions.
August was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and accomplishments and know that his family and friends will treasure the wonderful memories he made for them during his seventy-seven years.
Memorial donations may be made to the New Hope Cemetery, and left at the funeral home.
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