| Lefty`s White Lightning Blue Skies Forever Lefty(Salute) Lefty Gardner KERRVILLE — On Dec. 24, 2008, Lefty Gardner departed this earth, showing us how to soar with the eagles, but this final time, on the wings of an angel. He passed away peacefully at the age of 87. Lefty started his aviation career at the age of 21, when he joined the Army Air Corps. He flew 34 missions in the European Theater during World War II in B-24s and B-17s, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters. After his tour, Lefty joined an elite group of pilots flying to Sweden at night carrying supplies for the underground and POWs. After 12 missions, he came home and finished his education at Texas A&M, receiving a BS degree in agriculture. Lefty and his brother started an Ag flying business in Crystal City, Texas. He then went on his own and, with a dear friend, developed a process used to control mesquite and other noxious brush on the West Texas ranches, allowing better grazing conditions for cattle. He retired from this after 35 years. Lefty was reared in the Beeville, Texas, area. During his lifetime, he lived and worked his businesses in Crystal City, Brownwood, Mercedes and Lakeway. He and his wife retired in Kerrville, Texas. He, along with others, founded the Confederate Air Force, now known as the Commemorative Air Force, and was a member of the General Staff for many years. As the first procurement officer for the CAF, he held both A/P and A/I ... |
