Albert Lee Gardner was born August 18, 1933 to Lester and Eleanor (Lewis) Gardner in England, AR.  He attended high school in Lake Village, AR.  He served in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1955 and is a proud Korean War Veteran.  He married Barbara Jean White in 1955 and was blessed with two children, Deirdre (Frank) D’Antonio and Barry (Debbie) Gardner.  He furthered his education with a teaching degree from Henderson State Teachers College and eventually a Master’s degree, enrolling in schools scattered throughout the US.  While watching sports on TV, it seemed, “his team” was always playing. He was preceded in death by both his parents and his siblings, Jeanie, Gerald and Lester, Jr.  He said goodbye to his wife of 9 years in 1965. God was gracious to Al and he met Betty Jane Binegar, the person with whom he would share 53 wonderful years.  Their marriage gifted them two children, Forrest (Allison) Gardner and Janel (Zach) Steed.  He is survived by an extended loving family that includes 10 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.  Al first retired from Alaska as a teacher and a coach of a National Championship Rifle Team.  He would later retire as a teacher in West Virginia before moving to Alabama.  Al spent his life serving others. He was adventurous and never met a stranger.  He was a devoted husband, father and friend, always having a smile on his face and a story to tell.  He loved his church family and lived his golden years traveling, gardening, and hunting with family and friends. He passed peacefully from this Earth on March 13, 2021 with a heart full of love from his family and friends and into the presence of the One who made him and gave his life meaning.

There will be a celebration of Al’s life at the Riverchase church of Christ Sunday, April 18, 2021 in Birmingham Alabama at 1:30pm.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Por Los Ninos (porlosninos.org) or Ohio Valley University (ovu.edu/forovu).