Captain James S. Gardner, 81

Retired Navy Captain James S. Gardner, 81, of Blair, died at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lincoln.

Funeral services were Thursday at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Blair, with interment in the Blair Cemetery.

James S. Gardner was born June 25, 1922, in Greeley, Colo., to Spray L. and Mildred Fay (Simon) Gardner.

He graduated from Benson High School in 1940. He attended Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa. He graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy (Class of ’47) in Annapolis, Md., receiving his Ensign Commission on June 5, 1946.

He served on several different ships during his naval career, and in the early 1950s, was a Russian interpreter for the Naval attaché throughout the former Soviet Union.

On May 1, 1970, he retired from the Navy after more than 23 years of service, including more than 12 years of Foreign Service.

He married his first wife, Nina Scott, on Aug. 30, 1947.

He married Darlene Swingholm Bohs on Dec. 12, 1991.

Mr. Gardner was a member of All-Saints Episcopal Church in Omaha, Retired Officers Association, U. S. Naval Academy Alumni Association, Great Navy of the State of Nebraska (Admiral) 1944, and American Legion Post No. 1 of Omaha.

He is survived by his first wife, Nina Scott Gardner of Omaha; wife, Darlene Bohs Gardner of Blair; children and their spouses, Victoria and Glenn Merschbrock of Austin, Texas, Mary Gardner of Pasadena, Calif., Allen Gardner of New York City, special friend, Craig Sullivan of New York City; four grandchildren; step-children, Christopher Bohs of Blair, Lizabeth and Russell Olney of Yakima, Wash., three step-grandchildren; and many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews, all of Blair.

Campbell-Aman Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

#2 Omaha World Herald

GARDNER– James S., age 81, Blair. Survived by first wife, Nina Gardner, Omaha; present wife, Darlene, Blair; children, Victoria and husband Glenn Merschbrock, Austin, TX, Mary Gardner, Pasadena, CA, Allen Gardner, New York City; special friend, Craig Sullivan, New York City; 4 grandchildren; 2 step-children, Christopher Bohs, Blair, and Lizabeth Olney and husband Russell, Yakima, WA; 3 step-grandchildren.

SERVICES 10 am Thurs., St. Marys Episcopal Church, Blair. Burial Blair Cemetery. VISITATION 9 am-8 pm Wed.

CAMPBELL-AMAN FUNERAL HOME Blair, NE 402-426-2191

#3 Funeral Leaflet

In Loving Memory of James S. Gardner

Born June 25, 1922 Greeley, Colorado; Entered Into Rest July 21, 2003 Lincoln, Nebraska

Funeral Service 10:00 AM Thursday, July 24, 2003 St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Blair, Nebraska. Officiating: Father Lyle Martin. Organist: Clare Cowing. Musical Selections: “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee”, “Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me”, “For Those In Peril On The Sea”

Casketbearers: Irwin Anderson, Max Harris, Edward Rhoades, Jr., Phillip Hamke, Gene Kruse, Bradley Thompson

Military Graveside Services: Blair Cemetery, Blair, Nebraska Arrangements by Campbell-Aman Funeral Home

~~~Obituaries and Funeral leaflet courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings and leaflets on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska. ~~~

FindaGrave # 114644238