Donald Gardner

VIEW VIDEO TRIBUTE PAGE Donald O’Neal Gardner passed away on Wednesday April 1, 2009 surrounded by his loving family in Fort Worth, Texas. He was 74 years old. Don was born on July 2, 1934 to Jack and Ova Gardner in Bowie, Texas in a family of 7 children. He lived in Bowie until 1955 when he married the love of his life Janice Marie Dougless of Wizard Wells, Texas. He owned and operated Don’s Paint and Body Shop for sixteen years. He sold the shop in 1973 and became a partner in Gardner Land Co. During this period they acquired land in the west part of town and developed an addition know as Tanglewood. Don was also involved in other business ventures such as the building of a supermarket known as Triple G Supermarket. This was sold and he invested in another business- Gardner’s Laundromat, Car Wash and Mini-Warehouses. Don was president and partner of Best Petroleum Exploration, Inc. of Jacksboro. It was formed in 1981 when they drilled the first well in Jack County. Don served as city councilman in Jacksboro from 1965 to 1967. While serving as councilman many improvements were made in Jacksboro. A franchise was issued for cable TV, the city deeded land to Fort Richardson for a state park, a municipal airport was built, new sewer lines were added to the south and west part of town and the council voted to raise the spillway without cost to the city. Don was an active member of First Baptist Church in Jacksboro, he also served as an officer in the Jaycees, was a member of the Lions’ Club and the Jacksboro Chamber of Commerce. Those left behind to cherish his dear memory are his wife of 54 years Marie Gardner of Jacksboro, Texas; his two daughters Debra Pankey and husband Harold Gene of Jacksboro and Kylia Cooper and husband Michael of Ponder, Texas; his son Donald O’Neal Gardner and wife Diana of Jacksboro, Texas; his 7 grandchildren Leah Davenport and husband Brian, Bryson Pankey and wife Anna Kate, Lacy Pankey, Amy Hodges and husband Robert, Darin Cooper, Jana Cooper and O’Neal Gardner; and 6 great-grandchildren If so desired memorials may be made to Concerned Citizens, 400 East Pine Street, Jacksboro, Texas 76458 There will be a visitation on Friday April 3, 2009 from 6-7 pm at Coker Funeral Home in Jacksboro, Texas. Services will be Saturday April 4, 2009 at 2 pm at First Baptist Church in Jacksboro with burial to follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Eugene Weldon and Melvin Clay will be officiating.

Donald Gardner

July 2, 1934 - April 1, 2009