P.Q. Gardner
December 29, 1923 - September 15, 2015

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Paul Quinton (PQ) Gardner, a businessman, former educator, World War II veteran, and lifelong resident of Drew County, age 91, died September 15, 2015, at his home in Monticello, Arkansas. He was born December 29, 1923 to John Milton and Lela Belle High Gardner in Drew County, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna Townley Gardner; the mother of his children, Christine “Tina” Donham Gardner; his son, Paul Quinton (Buddy) Gardner, Jr; two grandsons, Chip and Blair Gardner; three brothers, Buford, Lewis, and Ray Gardner; and his son in law, David Charles (Dave) Lipton.

Survivors include his daughters, Brenda Gardner Lipton and Bonnie Gardner Ellis and husband Robert of Monticello; three grandchildren, Beth Ellis of Glenford, Ohio, Chad Gardner and wife Brooke of Benton, AR and Rob Ellis of Monticello; four great grandchildren, Deryk, Morgan, Reagen, and Reid. He is also survived by Donna’s children, Kim Laney of Little Rock and Erik Wallace of Hong Kong; his daughters in law, Donna Menotti Gardner and Sheila Hall Gardner of Monticello; and Donna’s son, Jay Holthoff of Bryant.

PQ was an aerial gunner/radio operator in the Army Air Corps in World War II and then spent several years in the Army Reserve and Army National Guard. For years he worked in school systems in Southeast Arkansas in different positions beginning as a teacher and finally becoming superintendent of schools at Drew Central Schools in Monticello, AR, his alma mater.

During his career, PQ owned and operated a number of businesses in Southeast Arkansas including cable systems in Monticello and Warren, which he built, and four radio stations including KGPQ (which carries the initials of his name). He also owned an insurance agency, motels, and video stores. His real estate business, Gardner Realty, closed after more than fifty years in business when PQ joined Ray Ryburn Real Estate as principal broker in 2011.

He was active in many groups and organizations over the years. Included in this long list are Drew Memorial Hospital Board, Drew County Election Commission, Arkansas Real Estate Commission, Monticello City Council, and Drew County Quorum Court. Currently, he continued to be active in the VFW, American Legion, Methodist Men’s Coffee Club, Lions Club, South Arkansas Realtors, Eastern Star, Monticello Senior Citizens, and Monticello’s First Baptist Church.

He received many honors and awards in his 91 years; some of the most recent were his selection to Drew Central Schools Hall of Fame in 2007; 2010 Man of the Year by the Monticello-Drew County Chamber of Commerce/MEDC; and UAM’s Continuing the Connection award on 2011.

Visitation will be Friday evening September 18, 2015 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 19, 2015 at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Chapel with burial in Oakland Cemetery with military honors. Memorials may be made to Hope Place, 103 North Main, Monticello, AR; First Baptist Church, 413 North Main, Monticello, AR 71655 or Arkansas Baptist Children’s Home, P O Box 427, Monticello, AR 71657. Online guestbook www.stephensondearman.com.