Alton Glyn Gardner, 75, died October 28, 2014. He was born March 5, 1939 in Dawson, Texas, the fifth of eight children, to R.B. and Helen (Hudson) Gardner. Alton enrolled in Navarro Junior College in September of 1958; however, he went to work full time the following year. He planned to finish college by attending night school, but was going into debt at the rate of one dollar per day. He started night school at Arlington State College in 1960. The United States Army drafted him in 1961. He went through basic training at Fort Chaffee in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and was selected for Leadership Training School and later completed Advanced Infantry Training. He was sent to Worms, Germany during the "Berlin Crisis." The crisis was over by the time he arrived in Germany, and he had an opportunity to enjoy touring Germany, France and Italy. Alton was discharged from active duty at Fort Dix, New York, November 1, 1963, only twenty-one days before President John F. Kennedy was fatally shot in Dallas, Texas. He again enrolled in The University of Texas at Arlington in the Spring of 1964. Determined to complete his college degree, he attended night classes off and on until Spring of 1984. He later enrolled at the University of North Texas in 1988 and completed his degree in Business Administration in June of 1995. He ended his illustrious career working with Oklahoma State Emergency Management helping to coordinate the efforts of employees and church volunteers to deliver necessary personal items from FEMA to Katrina/Rita survivors that were relocated to Oklahoma. Previously, he was the Divisional Disaster Director of The Salvation Army for Arkansas and Oklahoma, working two major ice storms, the Apache Flood, the Cordell Tornado, the Houston Flood, and assisted at the Pentagon and World Trade Center Disaster sites. Other jobs held were Warehouse Manager for The Salvation Army, Dallas, Texas; Senior Traffic Representative of Texas Utilities, Dallas, Texas, retiring in 1992; Senior Salvage Representative, Purchasing Supervisor, and Junior Accountant. Alton served as past president of the Oklahoma Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters, and was active in the Arkansas Emergency Management Association. He was past president of the Northwest Casidy Kiwanis Club and served in many capacities including Division 19 Lt. Governor 3 times. He also was a former member of the Purchasing Management Association of Dallas, the Masonic Lodge, Eastern Star and a member of the Shrine. He, along with wife, Barbara, was a member of the St. Marks United Methodist Church in Bethany where they both served as Stephen Ministers. Alton was preceded in death by his parents and three siblings. Survivors include his loving wife of 32 years, Barbara; and 3 siblings, Jo Kester, Betty Bass and Buddy Gardner. Memorial services will be Friday, October 31, 2:00 p.m. at St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Bethany, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to your favorite charity. Memorial Service Friday, October 31, 2014 02:00 PM St. Mark's United Methodist Church 8140 N.W. 36th St. Bethany, OK 73008