Rev. H. Leroy Gardner

November 24, 1940–May 29, 2013

Harold LeRoy Gardner, The Friends of Israel’s Midwest representative in the Department of Ministry Advancement, was called on May 29 to meet the Savior whom he had so passionately dedicated his life to serve.

LeRoy, or “Lee,” was born on November 24, 1940, at the family home in Pine River, Minnesota, the seventh of nine children. After graduating high school, he began a 20-year career as a meat cutter. A trip to a steakhouse with Lee was always an education.

In 1961 he met the love of his life, Sharon O’Brien; and they soon committed their lives to each other in marriage. The Lord blessed them with four children.

Sensitive to God’s leading, LeRoy felt the Lord calling him to ministry. In 1976 he left his meat-cutting position to attend Bible college. After graduating, he began another nearly 20-year career as a pastor with Village Missions, pastoring five churches in the West.

With the children grown, Lee embarked on a third career, this time with The Friends of Israel. He spent more than 13 years ministering in a 12-state region to people who support The Friends of Israel through their prayers and gifts. His pastoral training served him well, as he and Sharon traveled extensively throughout the Midwest. His love for the Lord and passion for sharing biblical truth were evident every time he spoke with supporters of this ministry.

Besides Sharon, Lee leaves behind three children: Kevin, Cindy (Mrs. Darwin) Davies, and Philip (married to Tali). Their son Jeff preceded Lee into glory. He also leaves nine grandchildren.

Scripture says, “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints” (Heb 6:10). Neither will we forget. LeRoy’s warm personality, deep love of Christ, work of faith, and labor of love will be greatly missed by all of us at The Friends of Israel.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Features

No Surprises, Please

On October 6, 1973, 40 years ago, Israel was wrapped in prayer shawls, observing the holiest of Jewish religious observances, the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). Radio was silenced...

The Jewish Family Promise

The call of Abraham in Genesis 12 is one of the most significant events in the biblical record. Although there is no way to know when the patriarch was born, scholars place his birth around...

Land Rights of the Patriarchs

For centuries people have argued over who has the legitimate claim to the land known today as Israel. The Arab-Israeli conflict has raged for decades, with both sides claiming exclusive rights...

The British Mandate

World War I (1914–1918) changed the map of the old Ottoman Empire in the Middle East. The region was split into two great sections. The northern half went to France (the French Mandate)...

The Continual Jewish Presence

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is convinced the phrase “2,000 years of exile” is inaccurate. It is used to describe the almost 2,000-year dispersion of the Jewish people between...


Subscription Options

1 Year Digital Subscription

  • Free PDF Book Download - "What on Earth is God Doing?" by Renald Showers

  • Free Full-Issue Flipbook & PDF Download of Current Issue

$9.99 every 1 year

1 Year Digital with Archive Access

  • Free PDF Book Download - "What on Earth is God Doing?" by Renald Showers

  • Free Full-Issue Flipbook & PDF Downloads of Current Issue & select Archives

  • Complete Access to our Growing Archive - eventually dating back through our inaugural 1942 issue

$19.99 every 1 year

2 Year Digital Subscription

  • Free PDF Book Download - "What on Earth is God Doing?" by Renald Showers

  • Free Full-Issue Flipbook & PDF Download of Current Issue

$19.99 every 2 years

2 Year Digital with Archive Access

  • Free PDF Book Download - "What on Earth is God Doing?" by Renald Showers

  • Free Full-Issue Flipbook & PDF Downloads of Current Issue & select Archives

  • Complete Access to our Growing Archive - eventually dating back through our inaugural 1942 issue

$39.99 every 2 years

3 Year Digital Subscription

  • Free PDF Book Download - "What on Earth is God Doing?" by Renald Showers

  • Free Full-Issue Flipbook & PDF Download of Current Issue

$29.99 every 3 years

3 Year Digital with Archive Access

  • Free PDF Book Download - "What on Earth is God Doing?" by Renald Showers

  • Free Full-Issue Flipbook & PDF Downloads of Current Issue & select Archives

  • Complete Access to our Growing Archive - eventually dating back through our inaugural 1942 issue

$59.99 every 3 years