A visitation for Oscar Lee Gardner, 81, Lawrence, will be 11-12, Saturday, February 27, 2021, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Words from Rev. Dulin will begin at 11 am.
Oscar Lee Gardner came in to this life, July 28, 1939, parents of Mr. and Mrs. H.E. and Beatrice Gardner Sr. He is the oldest of 10 siblings. He has memories of his father telling him that he spoke the blessing of Abraham over him at birth. He was raised under Christian and godly parents.
He received Jesus Christ as Savior at age 14, and often spoke of an encounter with the Holy Spirit in the field while working with his two brothers, Rodger and Ernest.
He graduated Bochito High School as Class Valedictorian in 1959 in Bokchito, OK. A few years later he enlisted in the Air Force where he served 8 years. He then re-enlisted again a few years later in the Army National Guard.
He is a Retired Sergeant who served in support of Operation Desert Shield, and received National Defense Service Medal, and 2 good Conduct Medals. He was a Military Policeman, Air Force and Army. He retired from Missouri Energy.
He loved military which he often spoke of in his many adventures. He enjoyed taking care of his first family. He loved going, attending church gatherings and anniversaries in church settings with our church family, Calvary Church of God in Christ, of which he joined in 2004. He was also the last to leave at these gatherings. He had a great passion and love for his siblings, in gathering together at the home place in “Blue Branch”.
Oscar loved much the Choctaw Nation of which he is a tribal member, and attended the veteran’s Day and Trail of Tears Walk. He studied his family genealogy and found a direct link related to Choctaw Chief, the late Greg Pyle as a distant cousin. He also loved visiting with family, cousins, friends from Oklahoma, Texas and Missouri.
He recommitted his life to the lord October 2019.
He has 4 children; Nadia Gardner, La Veta Gardner, Stepson Eric Strickland Sr, from previous marriage with Naomi Anderson Gardner, a stepdaughter, Rondalyn Henly with his spouse Gloria Gardner of 22 years. Nine grandchildren, Jerrille, Jerron, Rudolph, Eric Jr., Lexus, Tionne, Taya, Tia and Erieus. Siblings Rev. Ernest Gardner of Baton Rouge, LA and Henderson Gardner Jr, of Muskogee, OK, Era Bell Gardner , Carlene G. Gardner and Maude E. Gardner of Bokchita, OK, and a host of other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers: Jerry Joe and Rodger Lavern Gardner and two sisters, Juanita Gardner and Gussie Strong
