Herchel Gardner
d. July 8, 2018
Herchel Gardner
Herchel Gardner of Little Rock died July 8, 2018.
He was first and foremost a family person who married Rubye Elizabeth Wright in 1948. Rubye helped him so much throughout his career and he affectionately referred to her as the wind beneath his wings, even during retirement until her death on June 5, 2013. They have three children Carrye Greene of Little Rock, Lynn Gardner of Fayetteville and Van Gardner and his wife Diane of Little Rock. He has two grandchildren Jack and Taylor and seven brothers and sisters. He felt God had blessed him in so many ways; being born into a Christian family of eight children by Marshall and Dona Gardner in Delight, Arkansas. After World War II meeting and later marrying Rubye and being blessed with children who have those values so important to family love and unity.
Herkie or Pops, as he was affectionately called, served two years in the US Navy during World War II and was employed by Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield in 1950 where he served until his retirement as Chief Operating Officer in 1989. When he started to work for ABCBS there were 10 employees at 1210 Main Street. There were approximately 1,500 employees when he retired. He was the lead person in the construction of their headquarters buildings between 6th and 7th Street on Gaines. He served the companies in both internal and external operations. He was responsible for landing the Medicare contract for Arkansas in 1965 and many of the people hired for that program are still with the company today in responsible positions. Mr. Gardner was the principal organizer of USAble Life about 10 years prior to his retirement from BCBS and was most proud of that company serving as Chairman of Board until his retirement. He was also active in organizing other USAble Corporation subsidiaries. He always was very proud of his associates in all of the Blue Cross Blue Shield enterprises.
He was active in the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, BBB, President of the Downtown Kiwanis Club and Treasurer and Board Member of Pleasant Valley Country Club and later Chenal Country Club. He was on the executive board of the Boy Scouts and Pulaski County Unit of the American Cancer Society. He was a member of Pulaski Heights, Highland Valley and Asbury United Methodist Church where he served on the Board, numerous committees and as a teacher in Sunday School. He was a supporter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes receiving their coveted limited edition influence picture, which remains prominently displayed in his home.
Herchel served hundreds of thousands of Americans throughout his professional career and had the opportunity through his church and other avenues to have a positive impact on his fellow employees, customers and others he came into contact with.
Graveside services are Thursday, July 12th at 10:00 a.m. at Pinecrest Memorial Park, Alexander, Arkansas.
The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to Dr. Brad Baltz for his years of unwavering support. Thank you doesn't seem adequate.
Memorials may be made to the Asbury United Methodist Church, 1700 Napa Valley Drive, Little Rock, AR 72212.
Services provided by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501)224-2200. Herchel's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.
7401 Highway 5 North
Alexander, AR, 72002
He was first and foremost a family person who married Rubye Elizabeth Wright in 1948. Rubye helped him so much throughout his career and he affectionately referred to her as the wind beneath his wings, even during retirement until her death on June 5, 2013. They have three children Carrye Greene of Little Rock, Lynn Gardner of Fayetteville and Van Gardner and his wife Diane of Little Rock. He has two grandchildren Jack and Taylor and seven brothers and sisters. He felt God had blessed him in so many ways; being born into a Christian family of eight children by Marshall and Dona Gardner in Delight, Arkansas. After World War II meeting and later marrying Rubye and being blessed with children who have those values so important to family love and unity.
Herkie or Pops, as he was affectionately called, served two years in the US Navy during World War II and was employed by Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield in 1950 where he served until his retirement as Chief Operating Officer in 1989. When he started to work for ABCBS there were 10 employees at 1210 Main Street. There were approximately 1,500 employees when he retired. He was the lead person in the construction of their headquarters buildings between 6th and 7th Street on Gaines. He served the companies in both internal and external operations. He was responsible for landing the Medicare contract for Arkansas in 1965 and many of the people hired for that program are still with the company today in responsible positions. Mr. Gardner was the principal organizer of USAble Life about 10 years prior to his retirement from BCBS and was most proud of that company serving as Chairman of Board until his retirement. He was also active in organizing other USAble Corporation subsidiaries. He always was very proud of his associates in all of the Blue Cross Blue Shield enterprises.
He was active in the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, BBB, President of the Downtown Kiwanis Club and Treasurer and Board Member of Pleasant Valley Country Club and later Chenal Country Club. He was on the executive board of the Boy Scouts and Pulaski County Unit of the American Cancer Society. He was a member of Pulaski Heights, Highland Valley and Asbury United Methodist Church where he served on the Board, numerous committees and as a teacher in Sunday School. He was a supporter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes receiving their coveted limited edition influence picture, which remains prominently displayed in his home.
Herchel served hundreds of thousands of Americans throughout his professional career and had the opportunity through his church and other avenues to have a positive impact on his fellow employees, customers and others he came into contact with.
Graveside services are Thursday, July 12th at 10:00 a.m. at Pinecrest Memorial Park, Alexander, Arkansas.
The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to Dr. Brad Baltz for his years of unwavering support. Thank you doesn't seem adequate.
Memorials may be made to the Asbury United Methodist Church, 1700 Napa Valley Drive, Little Rock, AR 72212.
Services provided by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501)224-2200. Herchel's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.
Graveside Service
JUL 12. 10:00 AM (CDT)
Pinecrest Memorial Park7401 Highway 5 North
Alexander, AR, 72002
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