GARDNER, A.R. "Slim": Died 1985

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

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 4/9/2022 at 08:21:06

**Handwritten: Ottumwa Courier

Dixieland musicians to salute 'Slim' Gardner

FAIRFIELD - Area musicians are being invited to play at the funeral of a Fairfield man who'd been a musician ever since he was 17 years old.

A.R. "Slim" Gardner, 82, of 406 N. D Street died at 4 a.m. March 20, 1985, of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was found in an equipment storage building at the apartment where he lived.

Gardner's wife, Sue, said the Fairfield Dixieland Ban will perform "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" at the Raymond Funeral Home in Fairfield on Saturday. Other musicians are invited to help play
When the Saints Go Marching In" at the Evergreen Cemetery following the 10:30 a.m. service.

"I thought it would be nice for all the musicians that wanted to, to join in," she said. "It's what he requested some time ago."

Gardner was a postal employee for 39 years and retired as the assistant postmaster of Fairfield in March 1983. But during those years, the man who "played all kinds of music" also played his trombone at clubs, engagements and proms all over southeast Iowa.

And "he taught a lot of youngsters over the years," his wife adds. "I especially appreciate his music because he arranged all the music with his band."

A.R. "Slim" Gardner was born Jan. 27, 1903, in Fairfield to Albert Royalton and Mary K. Loring Gardner St. He married Sue Rains on Sept. 8, 1945.

He lived south of Stockport in his early years, graduated from Fairfield High School in 1922 and attended Parsons College. He was an 18-year member of the National Guard and a member of the First United Methodist Church. A lifetime member of Musicians Union Local 646 and of the Elks Lodge, he was a member and legislative representative for the National Association of Retired Federal Employees.

He was a longtime member of the National Guard Band and was the first trombonist and soloist with the Ottumwa Municipal Band for more than 30 years. He managed and led his own band, The Aristocrats, for 21 years.

He is survived by his wife; three sons, Jerry of Ames, Jim of Iowa City, and Richard of Des Moines;
three daughters, Rose Abbey of Boone, Barbara Lawson of Johnston and Julie Olson of Des Moines; 15 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; a sister, Flossie Turley of Orange, Calif.; and a brother, Tom of Boulder, Colo.

The service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Raymond Funeral Home, with Pastor Clair Odell officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery. The casket will be closed.

Memorials may be made to the Slim Gardner Music Scholarship for high school band students.

Source: "Scrapbook 1981 - 1985", Pg. 238,
Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, Van Buren Co., IA