Edwin L. Gard, 84, died Saturday, April 13, 2019 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Omaha, Nebraska to the late Edwin Moley Gard and Olivia Roetzel Gard. Ed was recently baptized into the Catholic faith. He was raised in Boonville, Indiana, graduated from Boonville High School, and later attended Owensboro Business College. Ed served in the U S Air Force, where he was stationed in Thule, Greenland and then Wendover, Utah. While in service, he earned a degree in accounting. Upon completing his service, he began a sales career with the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. After moving to Owensboro in 1972, Ed managed Crescent Tire Company and then United Tire Company. He later went on to become a sales representative for Manufactured Homes and lived in many different parts of the country, where he enjoyed entertaining family when they visited. He retired and returned to Owensboro in his later years to be with family. Ed enjoyed all sports, but especially loved golfing and watching UK basketball and all football. He took great pride in watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren playing sports and performance dancing. Always the gentleman, he loved good music, dancing, reading, playing cards, the outdoors, animals, and family time. Ed enjoyed cooking and appreciated a good meal. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Eddie D. Gard; his former wife, Sue Gard Thayer; and a brother-in-law, Byron Carter of Boonville.
Survivors include his daughters, Kim Gard Simmons, Pamela Gard Oldham, and Renee Gard King all of Owensboro; a son, Greg Gard of Owensboro; grandchildren, Amanda (Nathan) Reffitt, Matthew Simmons, Bryson Gard, Janson Gard, Nick Oldham, and Chloe King, all of Owensboro, and Drew (Chris) Nelson-Gard of Louisville; great-grandchildren, Landon, Luke, Kolbe, Olivia, and Gianna Reffitt of Owensboro; a sister, Kay Carter of Boonville, IN; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 1:00pm on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at St. Stephen Cathedral. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 11:00am until 12:45pm at St. Stephen Cathedral.
Contributions in memory of Ed may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131 or Owensboro Catholic Schools, 1524 West Parrish Avenue, Owensboro, KY 42301.
