News Room

The Oklahoman

A lifetime bond of activity helps state couple stay fit
Special to The Oklahoman

By DANIELLE WALKER March 17, 2010
Text included below

The love story starts with Daisy Mae and Li’l Abner.

Sixty years ago, University of Oklahoma sophomore John Gardner joined the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, not knowing how much that decision would affect his life.

The fraternity organized a “Dog Patch” party one evening, and Gardner needed a date. His roommate introduced him to fellow student and OU freshman Emily Allen. Gardner, dressed as Li’l Abner, was smitten with Allen, who was portraying Daisy Mae.

“I don’t remember much about the party except that I could not take my eyes off Emily,” Gardner said. “She literally swept me off my feet.”

As a child, John Gardner lived on the family’s farm near Guthrie. Emily, too, grew up on a farm near Verden.

As World War II raged overseas. John became fascinated with the military aircraft. He began taking flying lessons at 16 and first soloed shortly before turning 17. He qualified for a pilot’s license a year later and became the youngest licensed pilot in Oklahoma.

He enrolled as a premed major at OU. Emily enrolled the next year as a home economics major. After three years, John ended his schooling to join the Air Force as conflict erupted in Korea.

They were married June 6, 1952 in Oklahoma City and moved to Illinois.

They moved back to Oklahoma after John finished his tour of duty, and he returned to OU.

After nine years, they had four children — three girls and a boy.

“I was very busy,” Emily said.

John, in 1959, received his medical degree. Since then, John has been an OB/GYN and a radiologist.

The Gardners were — and still are — a busy couple.

Now retired and nearing his 80th birthday, John has continued to fly. Both sing with the Golden Harmonizers, a choral group affiliated with the Edmond Senior Center. John has been a member of the OK Chorale barbershop chorus for just under 20 years.

They have been in 12 to 15 mission trips through Volunteers in Mission.

The couple takes daily walks with Reggie, the Shih Tzu. They see their family regularly and are very involved in the Touchmark at Coffee Creek community, where they have lived two years.

John’s had surgery for his heart-rhythm abnormality, and suffers some hearing loss. Emily, at 78, has survived breast cancer and is now battling recent memory loss, which may be Alzheimer’s disease.

John said his wife is currently on medication to treat her memory loss, and this seems to have slowed the progress.

“There have been a few bumps along the way, but our love has sustained us,” John said.

In April, Touchmark at Coffee Creek is set to open a $15 million expansion, encompassing a memory-care neighborhood and three-story addition.

The Gardners are committed to remaining active in the Touchmark community and in their music programs.

“Our future is uncertain and largely will be determined by our health,” John said. “I hope to continue flying as long as I feel that I can do so safely.”

View the original article at The Oklahoman

Related: Staying fit

The health of your brain plays a critical role in almost everything you do: thinking, remembering, working and playing. The good news is you can do a lot to help keep your brain healthy as you age.

• Stay physically active. Physical exercise is essential for maintaining good blood flow to the brain and encourages brain cell growth.
• Adopt a brain-healthy diet. The Mediterranean Diet is good for your heart and your brain.
• Remain socially active. Social activity not only makes physical and mental activity more enjoyable, it can reduce stress levels.
• Stay mentally active. Mentally stimulating activities strengthen brain cells

John and Emily Gardner take advantage of the Touchmark daily and physical activities.

Touchmark also offers memory care support groups. For more information, please visit EdmondMemoryCare.com.

Source: Alzheimer’s Association/Touchmark.