Obituary for John Gardner, II

John J. Gardner, II

October 9, 1946 – January 13, 2019

John J. Gardner, II passed away on Sunday morning in Olathe, KS. Full obituary to come soon, thank you for your patience.

In Leui of flowers, please make donations to the two memorials listed.

John J. Gardner II, well-known Ponca City attorney, passed away peacefully on January 13th, 2019 at the Olathe Medical Center in Olathe, Kansas with his daughters and families present. Memorial service is at 2:00 pm Friday, January 18th at Grace Episcopalian Church, 109 N. 13th St. Ponca City, with reception following. A private family internment will take place on Friday. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory.

John was born at the Ponca City Hospital on October 9, 1946 to John J. and Verlee Carpenter Gardner. He spent his early years in Ponca City and Newkirk. John was an Eagle Scout. After high school John enrolled at Oklahoma State University where he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science degree and a love bordering on fanaticism for OSU Cowboys. John also received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma and passed the Oklahoma Bar in 1971. He then served in the United States Army, U.S. Army Signal corps attaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant.

John began his career as an attorney, practicing with the Northcutt Law Firm in Ponca City, Oklahoma. He became a senior partner, enjoying a lengthy and successful career from 1971 to the present. He served the Bar Association as a member of the Professional Responsibility Tribunal, 2003-2009, the Oklahoma Trial Lawyers Association and was AV Peer Review Rated.

John added value to the lives of others by serving on the board of The Opportunity Center in Ponca City for several decades. He was also the longest standing board member of Bridgeway serving since 1972. He belonged to the Kay County Bar Association and was also a member of the Elks, the Masons, and the Guthrie Scottish Rite. John belonged to the Akdar Shrine Temple in Tulsa and was a Jester.

John was a devoted father, father-in-law, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend who loved hosting gatherings and serving up his favorite dishes while overseeing the grill. He was also a committed Christian and long time member of Grace Episcopal Church serving as Lay Eucharistic Minister, and Parish Chancellor for more than twenty years.

John is preceded in death by his parents. John is survived by his daughter, Traci and son-in-law, Matt Jackson of Olathe, Kansas; daughter Summer and son-in-law, Wayne Walker of Ponca City, Oklahoma; a sister, Ann and Steve Grassfield of Austin, Tx; brother Neal Gardner of Newkirk. John was blessed with four grandchildren, whom he loved deeply and whose lives he followed closely; Ryan Jackson, Paige Jackson, Nixon Walker, and another grandson due in July 2019. John is also survived by niece, Julie and Jimmy Neizel and niece, Elissa and Tim Frickenschmidt both of Austin, Tx. He never failed to remember his great nephews Jake, Gage and Powell Frickenschmidt, James Neitzel and his great niece Annie Verlee Neitzel on their special days throughout their lives.

John’s dad once said “if John had a dollar, you had a dollar.” meaning that he was the happiest when he could exhibit generosity, encourage, and advocate for others. John’s life inspired many to be good to their neighbors, strive for success and to keep hope alive.

He shone a very bright light in his heart for his family and friends, and we will miss him and his kindnesses very much.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be make to Bridgeway, Inc., 612 W. Grand Ave. Ponca City, OK 74601.

Source: Trout Funeral Home