Larry Gardner

Larry D. Gardner

Larry D. Gardner 77, of Kirksville, MO passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday evening, November 4, 2014, at the Lake Health Park Medical Center in Ft. Myers, FL.

The son of Leonard Dale and Wanda (Widner) Gardner, Larry was born November 9, 1936 in Kirksville, MO. On August 24, 1958 in Kirksville, MO he was united in marriage to Nina J. Hays and to this union two sons were born.  Nina preceded him in death on February 25, 1997. On May 9, 2003 in Sanibel Island, FL he was united in marriage to Karen McCune Long, who survives.

Also surviving are his two sons, Kevin Gardner of Harrisburg, MO and David Gardner and wife, Mindy of Columbia, MO; five grandchildren, Amanda Darwent and husband, Lee, Kaila Gardner and partner, Jake, Mason Dale, Grace and Lydia Gardner; four great-grandchildren, Austin, Jonathan and Layla Darwent and Zaylee Pollard; two step-children, Toni Moore and husband, Fred of Downing, MO and Kelly Long and wife, Shannon of Lancaster, MO and four step-grandchildren and four step great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Nina.

Larry was reared in Kirksville, MO, the only child of Dale and Wanda Gardner. He ran newspaper routes and was a route manager as pre-teen and teenager and he organized a water-ski team at 1000 Hills State Lake and held public performances which included jumping ramps and acrobatic maneuvers. Larry attended the Kirksville schools, graduating from the Kirksville High School with the Class of 1954.  He graduated from Northeast Missouri State Teachers’ College (now Truman State University).  After graduation he married his high school sweetheart, Nina Hays.  They moved to Overland Park, KS and Larry worked in an accounting firm in Kansas City for fifteen years before moving back to Kirksville to start his own accounting business, which included over 3000 clients all over the US and also England, Africa and Argentina.

Larry was very active in professional and civic organizations which included, Bank Director for seventeen years; 1959 to 1979 National Society Accounts for Coops, 1960 to 1977 Director of Missouri Association of Tax Practioners; 1963 to 1969 Director/Treasurer, K.C. Society of Public Accountants; 1965 to 1975 Public Accountants Association of Kansas; 1957 to present, National Society of Public Accountants; 1975 to present, Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation, Inc.; 1980 to present, Independent Accountants Society of Missouri; 1962 to 1966 United Fund Council of Kansas City, committeeman; 1970 to 1973 Director/Treasurer 1000 Hills Council of Boy Scouts, Troop 26; 1970 to 1975 Director/Treasurer, Little League Football Conference; 1972 to 1975 Director/Treasurer, KBSA; 1970 to 1974 Director/Treasurer/President, Kirksville RIII Booster Club; 1969 to 1985 Kirksville Chamber of Commerce; 1967 to 1973 Kirksville Jaycees; 1976 Who’s Who in Midwest; 1978 Who’s Who Internationally; from 1965 to present, he was a 50 year member of Kirksville Lodge #105 AF&AM, Kirksville York Rite, Scottish Rite, Molia Temple, El Kadir Shrine Club, presently serving on the board and the Molia Jesters.  He was also a member of the board of K-REDI and the Northeast Regional Medical Center.  Larry was a member of the First Baptist Church in Kirksville.

Larry loved all kinds of “wheels” since birth – all always kept in pristine condition. He still has his first, tiny Western Flyer tricycle in wonderful condition – except for no tread on the tires. His vehicle license plate is “ILVGO’N, which pretty well explains Larry’s great love of life and always with an inquisitive and fun attitude.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 12, 2014, at the Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home with Reverend Richard Northcutt officiating. Eulogy will be given by Kelly Snipes and family.  Music will be provided by Lanna Novinger singing “How Great Thou Art” and “Precious Memories”, accompanied by Dianthe Cable.  Burial will be in the Maple Hills Chapel Mausoleum in Kirksville, MO.

Pallbearers will be Cory Eagen, Kevin Snipes, Lyle Anderson, Roger Hamilton, Mike Ratliff and Robert Rosenbaum.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Ron Winkler, Dr. James Don Smith, Larry Whitney, Kelly Snipes and Robie Elliott.

Visitation with the family will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 11, 2014, with a Masonic Service conducted by Robert Barrett of Kirksville Lodge #105 AF&AM, at the

Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home

Memorials in memory of Larry are suggested to the St. Louis Shriners Children’s Hospital. Contributions can be left at or sent to the funeral home.