GARDNER, Albert Royalton Jr. 'Slim' 1903 - 1985

GARDNER, LORING, RAINS, ABBEY, LAWSON, OLSON, TURLEY, LARSON

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 9/25/2011 at 14:44:48

"The Fairfield Ledger"
Wednesday, March 20, 1985
Page 14, Columns 1 and 2

'Slim' GARDNER dies at 82

A. R. "Slim" GARDNER, 406 North D St., died early today of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His body was found in an equipment storage building at the rear of the apartment building where he lived, a police officer said.

GARDNER, 82, was a veteran Fairfield musician and postal service employee. Services will be held Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at the Raymond Funeral Home with the Rev. Clair Odell officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home after noon on Thursday. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery.

The Fairfield Dixieland Band will play "When the Saints Go Marching In" during the commital service and other local musicians are invited to join the group if they wish to do so. A memorial has been established to the Slim GARDNER Music Scholarship for high school band students.

GARDNER was born Jan. 27, 1903 in Fairfield, the son of Albert Royalton and Mary K. LORING GARDNER Sr. He graduated from Fairfield High School in 1922 and attended Parsons College. He was active in athletics at both schools.

GARDNER joined the staff of the local post office in May, 1924, retiring in March 1963 as assistant postmaster. He served in the Iowa National Guard for 18 years and was a longtime member of the National Guard Band.

For more than 30 years, he was first trombonist and soloist for the Ottumwa Municipal Band. He played in a number of southeast Iowa dance bands and he managed and led his own band, the Aristocrats, for 21 years.

GARDNER was married to Sue RAINS Sept. 8, 1945. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Musicians Union Local 646, Elks Lodge and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees.

Surviving are his wife; three sons, Jerry of Ames, James of Iowa City, and Richard of Des Moines; and three daughters, Rose ABBEY of Boone, Barbara LAWSON of Johnston and Julie OLSON of West Des Moines.

Also surviving are 15 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, one sister, Flossie TURLEY, Orange, Calif., and one brother, Tom GARDNER, Boulder, Colo. He was preceded in death by four sisters and five brothers.

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"The Fairfield (Ia.) Ledger"
Tuesday, April 9, 1985
Page 10, Column 1

CARD OF THANKS

The family of A.R. "Slim" GARDNER would like to thank all of their friends for the kind, warm and sincere expressions of sympathy and their prayers during their recent loss. A special thanks to Rev. Odell for the beautiful service and calls; also, thanks to Bernita Pettit for her comforting calls and prayers. A special thanks to all of the doctors, nurses and medical staff for their warm and professional services. A special thank you to the Dixieland Band for carrying out "Slim's" wishes. A big thank you to the V.F.W. sisters for preparing and serving the food for our family. Knowing you have such good friends that care means so much and helps to ease the pain.

Sincerely,
Sue GARDNER & family

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Fairfield, in Lot 5th.059. Wife Sue (Liberty Belle Peace 'Sue' RAINS GARDNER) died in 2005 and was buried with him. 'Slim' was first married to Pearl M. LARSON, who is buried elsewhere in Evergreen, having died in 1994.