James Gardner Jr.

Luginbuel Funeral Home of Vinita, (918)256-5555. James H. "Jim" Gardner, Jr., 79-year-old well known Vinita resident & member the Cherokee Nation, science teacher, businessman, and aviator, passed away early Tuesday, September 27, 2016 at Hillcrest Hospital in Claremore from complications of Alzheimer's. "Jim" was born to J H (Eddie) and Genevieve (Greiner) Gardner on May 6, 1937 in Vinita OK. Jim was a lifetime member of the Holy Ghost Catholic Church. He graduated in 1955 from Sacred Heart Academy where he played basketball, then Northeastern State University in Tahlequah with a degree in education. Jim was well known in the aviation community. He restored, repaired, built and flew antique aircraft including 2 Piper Cubs. His 1946 J3 Piper Cub won first place at the 1993 Classic Oshkosh Wisconsin Airshow. Jim was an annual participant at the Oshkosh Airshow until his last few years. In addition to aviation, his hobbies included hunting, fishing, building model planes and restoring antique trucks. Jim participated in many National model airplane competitions as well as National archery competitions. He made primitive bows and arrows and participated in traditional Native American cornstalk shoots throughout northeast Oklahoma and at the Cherokee National Holiday shoot in Tahlequah. He made many traditional bows for children who attended the shoots. He sponsored the Cherokee Council Cub Scout Day Camp known as "Uncle Jim's Cub Scout Camp." His students remember "Mr. Gardner" as an animated educator that gave minus marks for misbehavior and referred to girls & boys as "Big Boy". Jim loved going to the Loyal Shawnee Ceremonials at White Oak, OK. Jim is survived by two brothers, W.A. "Bill" Gardner and his wife Betty of Vinita and Joe Gardner and wife Sherry of Claremore OK. Nieces & nephews, James Gardner III of Sarasota, FL, Bill Gardner, Cyndi Bussey (Rodney), Stacee McSpadden (Mark) of Vinita, Jennifer Raymond (Mark) of Bartlesville, Sandy Gardner (Holly) of Tia Juana, OK, Meredith, Clair & Emma McSpadden of Vinita, Emily Bussey of Edmond, Amelia Bussey (Zach) of Salem AL, Mark Raymond & Joseph Raymond of Seattle WA., Sarah Raymond of Bartlesville, Gage Gardner US Marine Recruit of Jay, OK & Eddie Gardner (Moraima) of Ada OK. He was preceded in death by his parents and nephew Christopher (Robin) Michael Gardner. The Rosary will be held on Friday, September 30, 2016 at 7:00 PM in the Luginbuel Chapel in Vinita. The Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2016 at 10:00 AM at the Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Vinita, with Rev. M. E. Cashen & Rev. James Greiner officiating. Online condolences may be made at www.honoringmemories.com. Arrangements are by the Luginbuel Funeral Home of Vinita.

Visitation Details

Friday, September 30th, 2016 7:00am, Luginbuel Funeral Home Vinita

Service Details

Saturday, October 1st, 2016 10:00am, Holy Ghost Catholic Church

Interment Details

Fairview Cemetery - Vinita