Marvin L. "Lefty" Gardner

MARVIN L. "LEFTY" GARDNER
KERRVILLE - On December 24, 2008, Lefty Gardner departed this earth, showing us how to soar with the eagles, but this final time, on the wings of an angel. He passed away peacefully at the age of 87.
Lefty started his aviation career at the age of 21, when he joined the Army- Air Corp. He flew 34 missions in the European Theater during WWII in in B-24's and B-17's, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters.
After his tour, Lefty joined an elite group of pilots flying to Sweden at night carrying supplies for the underground and POWS. After 12 missions, he came home and finished his education at Texas A&M, receiving a BS degree in Agriculture.
Lefty and his brother started an Ag flying business in Crystal City, TX. He then went on his own and with a dear friend, developed a process used to control mesquite and other noxious brush on the West Texas ranches, allowing better grazing conditions for cattle. He retired from this after 35 years.
Lefty was reared in the Beeville, TX area. During his lifetime, he lived and worked his businesses in Crystal City, Brownwood,
Mercedes and Lakeway. He and his wife retired in Kerrville, TX.
He, along with others, founded the Confederate Air Force, now known and the Commemorative Air Force, and was a member of the general staff for many years. As the first procurement officer for the CAF, he held both A/P and A/I licenses, enabling him to travel the world to repair and ferry vintage WW II aircraft home. He became the Chief Check Pilot for the CAF and was rated in all the aircraft the CAF required.
He was widely known for his flying abilities, especially in his P-38 "White Lightnin" which he flew in many Reno Air Races and hundreds of air shows across the United States. He won first place in the Gold Race at Reno in 1976, flying his P-51 Mustang "Thunderbird". He raced in Reno for over 25 years.
As an air show favorite, Lefty wowed the crowds as he performed his uniquely daring and graceful aerobatics in his legendary P-38 "White Lighnin".
Lefty was a devout Christian and a member of the Hunt Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Sharon; two sons, Ladd and Daron; three daughters, Gail Graham (Terry), Donna Miles (Mike) and Janie McNeil (Walter); five grandsons; two granddaughters and one great-granddaughter, as well as a sister, Dottie Potter, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, one daughter, Kim, 2 brothers and 3 sisters.
Lefty had many passions in life- his faith in God, his family and flying. He was the happiest when surrounded by his family and friends. There was never a dull moment with him as he created fun and laughter with his mischief and practical jokes. Lefty's patriotism was obvious in all that he did. He was a loving husband, father and friend. We will miss him forever.
The family would like to thank his loving caregivers, Brenda, Ami and Vista-Care Hospice.
Visitation will be Sunday, December 28, 2008 at Kerrville Funeral Home from 6-8 p.m.
Funeral services will be on Monday, December 29, 2008, at 2p.m. at Trinity Baptist Church, 800 Jackson Rd, Kerrville. At the conclusion of the service, there will be a Missing Man Formation Flyover as a tribute to Lefty. A graveside service will be held in the family lot in Glenwood Cemetery, Beeville, on Tuesday, December 30, 2008, at 1 p.m.
In lieu of floral arrangements, monetary donations in his name may be made to the Alzheimer Association or the Veterans
Administration of Kerrville.
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