Larry Haywood Gardner

Larry Haywood Gardner, 84, of Leawood, Kansas, passed away on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. He was born on November 14, 1941 in Williamston, North Carolina to Haywood Gardner and Frances Gardner.

Larry grew up in Williamston, NC and attended Williamston High School. Following graduation he served in the United States Air Force as a flight simulator specialist on the KC-135 tanker plane. He went on to serve his country as a civilian, working in the Pentagon as a Program Analyst. He enjoyed singing Johnny Cash, drinking Miller Lite and Southern Comfort, golfing, and smoking the occasional cigar. He met and married Alice Culbreth and they had three children together. Larry enjoyed traveling with his family and attending his grandchildren’s sporting events.

Larry is survived by his children, Chris (Janice) Gardner, Kathryn (Jim) Jordan-Hyde, Wes (Danielle) Gardner, and his long-time partner Pam Coerse. He is also survived by his eleven grandchildren, Christopher, Andrew, Haley, Ben, Connor, Kirsten, Colbie, Brody, Hadley, Ellie, Gavin, and his four great grandchildren, Ava, Annabel, Macey and Blakelyn.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Haywood and Frances Gardner, his ex-wife Alice, and his sister Dale and her husband, Charles.

There will be a visitation from 4:00-6:00pm on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at Penwell Gabel's Olathe Chapel located at 14275 S. Black Bob Road, Olathe, KS 66062. There will be a memorial service from 3:00-4:00pm on Sunday, March 15, 2026, also at Penwell Gabel.

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