Harry L. Gardner, Jr.

Harry L. Gardner, Jr., 81, Lenexa, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, February 22, 2012, at the Kansas City Hospice House, Kansas City, Missouri.

H.L. was born June 5, 1930 in Henrietta, Missouri, to Harry L. and Zelma Gardner. He attended Central Missouri State receiving his B.S. in Physical Ed and Master's in Counseling. H.L. was a member of Phi Sigma Epsilon Fraternity. He was a life long educator. He began his career teaching at Richmond High School where he also served as the head basketball coach and assistant football coach. In 1959 he and his family moved to Lenexa, KS and took a position with the Shawnee Mission School District, retiring in 1995.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Marge Gardner; two daughters, Sherri (Gary) Goode, Shawnee, KS and Terri (Dana) Joens, Topeka, KS; son, Dennis (Robin) Gardner, Shawnee, KS; four grandchildren, Tim Joens, Eric Joens, Jennifer Goode and Jessica Goode; brother-in-law, Don (Shirley) Harrison, Liberty, MO.

Visitation will be 5-7:00 pm, Sunday, February 26, 2012, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. Funeral services will be 1:00 pm, Monday, February 27, 2012, at the Thurman Funeral Home, Richmond, Missouri; burial in the Cravens Cemetery, Camden, Missouri.

Memorial contributions may be made to either the Kansas City Hospice House, 12000 Wornall Rd., Kansas City, MO 64145 or the Alzheimer's Assoc. of Kansas City, 3846 W. 75th St., Prairie Village, Kansas 66208.