Harrison M. Gardner, age 94, passed away Tuesday, June 16, 2020.
Born July 1, 1925, in Clover Lick, he was a son of the late William and Catherine Gardner.
Harrison served in the US Navy as a Storekeeper Third Class during World War II. After the war, he spent time as a cattleman on the Wyoming Hereford ranch.
Harrison graduated, taught and retired from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Through OSU, his professional DVM career partnered with the Columbus Zoo, Ohio State Fair, local equine events, Select Sires and others.
He worked with and loved all animals – large and small – and taught many students the skill of patience and kindness. He was a quiet man of strength, warmth and intelligence. Harrison had strong interests in aerospace and space travel along with spending time in the great outdoors. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping and traveling with friends and family.
He was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church.
In addition to his parents, Harrison was preceded in death by his wife, Gertrude “Trudy” Gardner; and siblings, Bill (Polly) Gardner, Ed Gardner and Harriet (Buddy) Meadows.
He will be greatly missed by his daughters, Elizabeth “Betsy” Nini, and her spouse, Benny Nini, Mary Gardner Stotts, and her spouse, Michael Stotts; grandchildren, Jessica (Matt) Fry, Michael (Ashley) Nini, Nicholas (fiancée Louisa Lowe), Michael Stotts Jr., and Cally Stotts; great-grandchildren, Porter Nini, Matthew Fry, Madeleine Fry, Benson Wilder Nini, Lennon Nini and Harlow Nini; sister, Cary (Robert) Phillips; sister-in-law, Jo Ann Gardner; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A private service will be held for the family.
Interment at Union Cemetery, Columbus, Ohio.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Medicine Farm Animal Support Fund (#310054), checks should be made out to The OSU Foundation, and in the memo line please write Gardner, Fund #310054. Mail to Tiffany Connors, Veterinary Medicine Academic Building, 1900 Coffey Rd, Columbus, OH 43210 or The Columbus Zoo Fund, Philanthropy Department, P.O. Box 400, Powell, Ohio 43065 or Heartland Hospice, 6500 Busch Boulevard Suite 210, Columbus, Ohio 43229.
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