Mike Gardner, 1941-2007
Larry Statham: Mike was always a bit awkward socially. I met him at Matthewson. We walke
d part way home together almost daily. He played piano well. I also enjoyed playing. He was an avid reader, as was I. His father was a semipro golfer. Unfortunately, his mother was an alcoholic. Divorce followed. His maternal grandmother was a Slothower who owned some theaters in Wichita. Her home had a great pool table, a wonderful library , and a grand piano to enjoy. Mike enjoyed summers running the concessions at her Terrace Drive-In Theater. We somehow stayed friends after I went to Robinson, where I really had to start over with meeting school mates and making friends. Once at East and together again, we enjoyed German classes all three years. Mike was in German Club and we studied late hours for Fraulein Junge’s tests. He learned to play golf from his dad, and was pretty good. When I left for Oklahoma University, and after my parents relocated to the KC area, we lost contact until a class reunion in 1980. By then, he was a very troubled man. I try to remember his good qualities, and that his aberrant behavior such as outbursts at that reunion resulted from an auto accident. Fate found me with his father in Lawton, OK after Mike’s death. His dad Richard was an instructor at the Cameron College where FAA had its management training school for several years. We reminisced after he remarked aloud in class that he remembered a kid who befriended his son in junior high in Wichita. We shared stories for a couple of weeks. Rest in Peace, Mike.
Editor’s Note: Mike was an active member of German Club.
“What are you doing in my bed, Goldilocks?” shouts Papa Bear. Taking part in the German Club farce are Fred Freeman, Larry Statham, Dave Kroenlein, and Goldilocks himself, Mike Gardner.
Obituary, Wichita Eagle, April 15, 2007
Michael D. Gardner, 65, died April 15, 2007 in Wichita, KS, after a prolonged struggle with cancer. No services will be held. He was a witty, intense and well-read man who loved the gentleness of Baroque and classical music and playing his baby grand piano. He believed in participatory democracy and equal rights for all and was involved in many different campaigns and legislative actions over the years. He would have had a good laugh at dying in the early morning hours of “Tax Day.” He knew, and enjoyed talking about, the history of Wichita and the people who built this city.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents Truman and Merta Slothower and Leslie and Nina Gardner and his loving mother Vivian Y. Slothower Gardner. He is survived by his father Richard Gardner and his stepmother Yandell of Oklahoma; a half-brother Dale; and various aunts, uncles and cousins. He also left behind his companions of 14 years, his dog Gandhi and cat Bullet.
A memorial was established with the Kansas Humane Society, 4218 S.E. Blvd, Wichita, KS 67210. The family would like to publicly thank the Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice Center. Services by Broadway Mortuary.
