Donald Lee Gardner

Donald Lee Gardner, 82, died September 24, 2020. He was born April 30, 1938 in Oklahoma City, OK to Donald Beck Gardner and Dora Lee Hall Gardner. He was a proud member of the first graduating class of Northwest Classen High School in 1956, and after obtaining a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma City University, he was the first alumnus to return as a teacher. “Mr. G”, as he was known by his students, was a beloved English teacher for several years. In 1960, he married Mary Blackwell, and their union produced four children. After teaching, he began a career in educational sales. As a traveling salesman, Don always kept his fishing gear in the car, and would stop at any creek or pond that looked promising! Through his work, he met Nancy “Jane” Ekstrand, and they were later married on May 5, 1972 in New Orleans. Don and Jane lived in the French Quarter for a brief but magical time, and they would return to their beloved “NOLA” countless times over the years. They also lived in Enid, Tulsa, and Kansas City before moving back to Oklahoma City in 1984. Their union, which lasted 41 years, produced two daughters and included many travels, many laughs, and much love for family. Some of his best times were spent with family, fishing on the Indian Creek and Elk River near Noel, MO, where the Gardner clan had a cabin on Mount Shira. After Jane’s death in 2014, Don eventually sold his home and hit the road in an RV. “Vagabond Don” traveled the country for nearly a year before settling back in Oklahoma City, at Twin Fountains RV Resort. He soon struck up a valued friendship with the park’s owner, Dow McCarty, and became the “Goodwill Ambassador” for the resort, greeting all new guests and making them feel welcome. There was no better gig for a man who never met a stranger! He cherished the many friendships he made in the last few years there, and his spot at the park became the place to be, with many nights spent in front of his fire pit, sharing drinks and laughter with his friends. Don is preceded in death by his wife Jane, his parents Don and Dora Lee, and his older sister, Mary Ruth Gay. He is survived by 4 daughters; Dorothy Roden (Bruce), Judith Prudhomme (Tad), Heather Gardner, and Laurel Newsom (Matt); 2 sons, Donald Gardner, Jr., and John Blackwell Gardner (Tasha); younger brother John Nelson Gardner (Leslie); 4 nephews, Brian Gay, Paul Gay, Phillip Gay and Luke Gardner; 2 nieces, Meredith Gardner and Jacqueline Kennedy. He was blessed with 14 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. No public memorial is scheduled at this time, though the family service on Saturday, October 17th, at 10:30am, will be live-streamed through Facebook @BillMerrittFuneral.