KENNETH JOSEPH "KENNY" / "KEN" GARDNER ~ Class of 1954
September 19, 1936 - June 13, 2010

~



Ken was born in Southwest City, MO September 19, 1936 to Wade & Leona Gardner. He passed away on June 13th, 2010 in Orlando, FL.

He had been very ill since October, 2009... he had several strokes and many other health issues. Kenny lost his leg 3 years ago and up until he started having strokes last October, he enjoyed the Alumni Sandstorm so much... he looked forward to opening it every day. He did not care about a regular newspaper - but always read the Sandstorm.

Ken was very popular in high school and very athletic - as he was awarded a football scholarship at WSC/WSU. When he could no longer play football due to a knee injury he gave up his scholarship for someone else who could play and transferred to Syracuse University where he graduated "Cum Laude" with a degree in Business Administration. His first job out of college was with John Deere Company in Syracuse, NY where he quickly became a Territory Manager handling John Deere dealers in eastern NY and eastern PA. His entire career centered in the sales arena.

He loved watching football and was an avid coin collector.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Mary Ellen, his son. Brian (Baltimore, MD), grandson Nicholas (Bixby, OK), son Brett (Jacksonville, FL) Brett's wife, Carla and their 3 wonderful children: Jordan Nicole, 16; Landon, 8; and Taylor Lynn, 7; his sister, Willa June Gardner Shea ('56) (Spokane, WA) and his nephews Daniel Warncke, 22 (Orlando, FL), and Matthew Warncke, 25 (Orlando, FL), to whom he was very close.

Grandson, Nicholas graduated from high school and joined the Army in May, 2010. He made a trip from Oklahoma to visit his grandfather in February, 2010 as he knew Kenny was in very poor Health.

He was preceded in death by his parents Wade and Leona Gardner (Richland) and his brother Gerald (Kansas City, MO).

There was no formal funeral service.