Howard Gardner

Howard Wayne
Gardner
Midland, Texas

Howard Wayne Gardner died Sunday, March 28, 2010 at Mabee Healthcare Unit in Midland, Texas. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 17, 2010 at Margaret Cowden Clubhouse, Manor Village Circle, in the Village at Manor Park, Midland, Texas. Family visitation will immediately follow the service.
Howard W. Gardner was born to Blanche Irene Fry and Arla Vivian Gardner in Barton County, Missouri near the town of Lamar on September 1, 1923. He attended and graduated from Lamar High School in 1938 at age 15. He worked on his parents' farm and also as a carpenter during the Great Depression.
He married Patricia Maxine Wiggins, of Carthage, Missouri, on December 31, 1942. He joined the United States Navy and entered flight school March, 1943 earning his wings as a Naval Aviator September, 1944. He was honorably discharged as Lieutenant, J. G. when the war ended in September, 1945.
Howard became an Insurance Adjuster with Service Fire Insurance Company in 1949 and then General Adjustment Bureau in 1951. He started his own business, Gardner Claim Service, in May, 1959 from which he retired in May, 1994.
One of his great loves was sports and he devoted his time to Cooper High School in Abilene, Texas founding and acting as Booster Club Fundraising Chairman for 15 years. He loved working in his yard and on his hotrod Chevrolet cars.
Howard was a member of St. Paul's Methodist Church and Aldersgate Methodist Church in Abilene, Texas and of St. Paul's Methodist Church in Midland, Texas. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and a Shriner in Abilene, Texas.
He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Patricia Gardner of Midland, Texas; his sister, Lucille Cribbet of Scottsdale, Arizona; his four daughters and their husbands: Ann and Jim Stokes of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Cindy and Ben Rosin of Redondo Beach, California; Debbie and Dick Driscoll of Keller, Texas; and Rebecca and Paul Morrison of Midland, Texas. Howard is also survived by ten grandchildren: Laura Stokes of Los Angeles, California; Susan and Josh Leon of Glendale, Arizona; Kyle and Tisha Soladay of Redondo Beach, California; Eric Soladay Solrain and Tye Crain Solrain of Oakland, California; Cassie Weber of Redondo Beach, California; Katie and Jay Reyero of Dallas, Texas; Doug Driscoll of Austin, Texas; Christy Driscoll of Arlington, Texas; Will Driscoll of Austin, Texas; and Rachel Morrison of Austin, Texas. Howard lived to see his three great-grandchildren, Monty and Daphne Soladay and Emma Weber. He is also survived by several nieces and one nephew.
His parents and one daughter, Ellen Kay Gardner, preceded him in death.
Remembrances may be made to HospiceMidland, P.O. Box 2621, Midland, TX 79702, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, 2222 Welborn Street, Dallas, TX 75219 or a charity of your choice.