Norman D. Gardner

Family-Placed Death Notice
GARDNER, Norman NORMAN DUNCAN GARDNER Norman Duncan Gardner passed away peacefully in Atlanta at the age of 84 on July 22, 2009. He was born on October 18, 1924 in South Bend, Indiana to Dean Gardner and Mattie Geyer Gardner.

After graduating from Riley High School, he attended the University of Indiana for one year before joining the US Air Force where he was stationed in Tallahassee, FL. After World War II, Norman attended and graduated from Notre Dame University.

He joined KVP Paper Company in Kalamazoo, Michigan, met and married Marjorie (Midge) Forster. They moved to Tampa where their four children were born. In 1964 the family transferred to Atlanta. In 1967, Norman founded Papercon, a paper converting business for the food industry, eventually having manufacturing plants in Atlanta, Dallas, and Los Angeles. His proudest business achievement was when Papercon was named one of Atlanta Magazine's Top 100 Businesses from 1986 - 1991. He retired from the company at the age of 73.

As a man with a generous spirit and a kind heart, he never met a stranger and looked for something good in every person that he met. He lived his life with integrity, honesty, and humor. He believed in working hard, being early, and having chocolate for dessert. His passions were family, God, work, yard work, and reading. He typically read 3 newspapers a day and at least 8 magazines a week. He was a member of St. James United Methodist Church for the past 45 years.

Mr. Gardner is survived by his wife Marjorie (Midge), daughters Anne Collins (Doug), Barbara Verner (David), Carol Gardner, and son James Gardner (Terry). He found great joy in spending time with his 6 grandchildren: Kelli Verner Brewer (Ryan), Jim Verner, Emily Collins, Laura Collins, Casey Gardner, and Thomas Gardner. A brother, Kenneth Gardner, resides in South Bend, IN.

A non-smoker, he battled lung cancer for 16 months until his death at Peachtree Christian Hospice.

A memorial service was held on Monday, July 27, 2009 at 1:00 pm at St. James United Methodist Church at 4400 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Atlanta. Following the service, the family greeted friends in the church parlor. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorial donations be made to St. James UMC Altar Fund. Cremation Society of the SOUTH in Marietta is in charge of the arrangements (770) 420-5557.

Published by Atlanta Journal-Constitution from Jul. 26 to Jul. 28,

06/28/2023 EJS

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/atlanta/name/norman-gardner-obituary?id=28462436&fhid=5303