Leonal Paul Gardner

Leonal Paul GARDNER Leonal Paul Gardner, age 83, Kirkland Washington, went peacefully to be with the Lord. His wife and children were by his side. Leon was born March 7, 1928, to Kitty Prock and Paul Gardner in Souder Missouri. He moved to the west coast during WWII at the age of 16 to work in the Oregon ship yards. Later, he and a friend bought a press shop. After serving in the army from 1952-1954, Leon went into the dry cleaning business and started Glo Cleaners. He met his to be wife there when she brought in cleaning and he had the clerk offer her a job. They were married in 1956. In 1960 Leon, deciding that Dry Cleaning did not have the potential he desired, sold the flourishing business, and entered the business of fast food. There has been speculation that this had something to do with Barbara's propensity to eat. Leon opened the first Herfy's drive-in in Everett in 1962. He later franchised the Everett stores in order to concentrate on the greater Seattle area. Leon retained ownership and operated the 15 company stores until 1970 when he sold them to the Campbell Soup Company. In 1973 he opened Fargo's Pizza Company in Colorado Springs, which is a thriving business to this day. He did all of this with only an 8th grade education. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Barbara, children Evan Gardner and Paula (Dave) Lavin. He had 2 grandchildren, Ashley (Austin) Woods and Brady Lavin. He also had 2 great-grandchildren, Payton and Hudson Leon Woods. He has 3 sisters Kitty Mackey, Beth Victor and Erma Welton. He was preceded in death by his brother Landon Gardner. He was exceedingly generous to all those he loved. He had an amazing memory for jokes. There were always new ones and he loved to tell them.He found great joy in all the old country and gospel music that he collected. Leon loved to golf and spent winters in Hawaii for years. He has spent the last several years in Palm Springs where he was a member at Thunderbird Golf Club. When he was in Seattle he would golf at Seattle Golf Club, where he was also a member. The Gardner's had a cabin on Whidbey Island where they spent many fun summers. He will be greatly missed by his family and all of his many friends. Memorial will be family only. Donations can be sent to the Pathfinder Ranch, http://www.pathfinderranch.com/donate