SPECIAL EDITION
The Life & Legacy of
September 28, 2015 11:00 A.M.
12/7/1946 - 9/22/2015
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content Philippians 4:11
Ronald Edward Gardner, born December 7, 1946, peacefully transitioned from this life and entered into eternal life on September 22, 2015.
Ron was born and raised in New Orleans, LA. He is a product of the public school system, graduating from L. B. Landry High School. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Chemistry from Southern University of New Orleans and a Master’s degree in Public Health from Tulane University. Ron was a trusted adviser of New Orleans’ first black mayor, Ernest “Dutch” Morial, before he joined LSU Health Science Center where he served as an administrator for the past 30 years, most recently as Vice Chancellor for Administrative, Community and Security Affairs. Ron was a U. S. Army Vietnam Veteran who served his country, state, city and community in numerous volunteer capacities. His love for New Orleans and his passion to make it a better place to live was shown in his appointments and service to numerous organizations including the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, Downtown Development District, Regional Transit Authority (RTA), the New Orleans Bowl, Urban League, NAACP and YMCA just to name a few. He was a God-fearing man and a true public servant in every sense of the word and served as an advisor, mentor, teacher, role model and friend to United States presidents, mayors and elected officials, co-workers, countless teenagers and young adults, the elderly, as well as to strangers, the homeless and those suffering from drug abuse. His tremendous impact on lives around the country and in the City of New Orleans cannot be measured and will continue to last for many more generations.
Ron was the son of the late Jessie Williams Brown, of Gretna, LA and the late Herman Gardner of New Orleans, LA he was the stepson of the late Aaron Brown of Gretna, LA. He was also the brother of the late Iris Martin of Los Angeles, CA and the late Keith C. Brown of New Orleans, LA. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Cynthia Wilson Gardner of New Orleans; sons, Jason E. Gardner and Corey K. Wilson of Baton Rouge and Dwayne London of Houston, TX; daughter, Raquel Robinson of Houston, TX; sisters, Julie Billips and Faye Antoine of New Orleans and Arthelle Gardner of Anchorage, AK; brothers, Anthony Gardner of Compton, CA and Stacy Gardner of Las Vegas, NV; grandsons, Devin Robinson and Monterreo Robinson and great-granddaughter Peyton Robinson and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Ron Gardner December 7,
1946 – September 22,
2015
Order of Service First Emanuel Baptist Church 1829 Carondelet Street * New Orleans, LA 70130 Monday, September 28, 2015 * 11:00 AM
Dr. Charles J. Southall, III, Pastor / Officiant Musical Prelude Processional …………………………………………………………. Clergy & Family Selection ………………………………………………………………………... Choir Devotion …………………………………………………………………….. Deacons Scripture Readings:
Old Testament : Job 14:1 - 3 New Testament: Revelation 21:1 - 4
Prayer
Deacon
Prayer Chant
Choir
Selection ………………………………………………………………………... Choir Expressions …………………………………………………. Atty. Paul R. Valteau, Jr. Obituary ………………………………………………………………… Read Silently First Emanuel Speaks … Solo ……..................................................................................................... Clementine Aaron Eulogy …………………………..…..…………………. Pastor Charles J. Southall, III Solo ……………………………………………………………………... Vernon Ward Words of Comfort …………………………………………………. (2 minutes please) Chancellor Larry Hollier, LSU Health Sciences Center Dwayne London Visiting Clergy Benediction / Recessional Ron Gardner December 7,
1946 – September 22,
2015
Precious Memories
Ron Gardner December 7,
1946 – September 22,
2015
Precious Memories
Ron Gardner December 7,
1946 – September 22,
2015
Ron Gardner December 7,
1946 – September 22,
2015
Precious Memories
Ron Gardner December 7,
1946 – September 22,
2015
Precious Memories
Ron Gardner December 7,
1946 – September 22,
2015
The Dash
by Linda Ellis copyright 1996
I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning…to the end. He noted that first came the date of birth and spoke the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years. For that dash represents all the time that they spent alive on earth. And now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth. For it matters not, how much we own, the cars…the house…the cash. What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash. So, think about this long and hard. Are there things you’d like to change? For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged.
“My Brother, My Friend… Separated by distance, Forever joined by LOVE”
If we could just slow down enough to consider what’s true and real and always try to understand the way other people feel. And be less quick to anger and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile, remembering that this special dash might only last a little while. So, when your eulogy is being read, with your life’s actions to rehash… would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent YOUR dash?
Ron Gardner December 7,
1946 – September 22,
2015
We Are Family
Ron Gardner December 7,
1946 – September 22,
2015
And the two shall become One…
Immortal Beloved Author: Ludwig van Beethoven
…my thoughts go out to you, my Immortal Beloved, now and then joyfully, then sadly, waiting to learn whether or not fate will hear us. I can live wholly with you or not at all - yes, I am resolved to wander so long away from you until I can fly to your arms and say that I am really at home, send my soul enwrapped in you in the land of spirits. Yes, unhappily it must be so, you will be the more resolved since you know my fidelity to you, no one can ever again possess my heart- none-never- Oh, God! why is it necessary to part from one whom one so loves and yet my life is now a wretched life, your love makes me at once the happiest and the unhappiest of women at my age. Be calm, only by a calm consideration of our existence can we achieve our purpose to live together, be calm, love me, today, yesterday, what tearful longings for you, you, you, my life, my all, farewell, Oh continue to love me, never misjudge the most faithful heart of your beloved, ever thine… ever mine… ever for each other.
Ron Gardner December 7,
1946 – September 22,
2015
H o n o r a r y Pa l l b e a r e r s Claude Reese Dave Sherman Eric Wilson Ernest Wilson, Jr.
Lawrence Billips Jay Cicero Al Copeland, Jr. Mack Hines
A c t i v e Pa l l b e a r e r s Don Johnson Dwayne London Lee McIntyre Marvin Mitchell
Roderick Brown Steve Brown Lasana Cambrice Armon Dauphin Ajene Moye
With Thanks and Gratitude We, the family of Ronald Edward Gardner are profoundly grateful for your prayers, cards, phone calls, flowers, words of comfort, visits and the various other expressions of care and support shown to us during our time of bereavement. We would also like to thank Leslie Capo, LSUHSC, the staff of Crescent City Physicians, M. D. Anderson Hospital, Oncology Nurses of Touro Hospital and LSU Health Sciences Center for your professional and loving care of our loved one. May God abundantly bless you all. Sincerely, The Family
Arrangements
Repast
Gaskin, Southall, Gordon & Gordon 2107 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. New Orleans, LA 70113
First Emanuel Baptist Church 1829 Carondelet Street New Orleans, LA 70130
Interment Mt. Olivet Cemetery 4000 Norman Mayer Ave. New Orleans, LA 70122
Program Design: Our Celebrations of Life (504) 453-2186 * ourcelebrationsoflife@gmail.com