Dr. Kenneth Eugene Gardner

Kenneth E. Gardner, M.D., son of the late Harold E. and Mildred M. Gardner of Benton, died June 1, 2021, after two weeks in CCU. He suffered a heart attack while driving home from the gym. He was 64. He was an organ donor. He leaves behind his wife of exactly 42 years, Susan L. (Caple) Gardner, and a daughter, Laura Caroline Gardner (fiancé Andrew Micciche), all of Fayettevillle, a sister, Teresa K. Wood (Bob) of North Little Rock, and a brother, Philip L. Gardner (Karen) of Benton, nephew, Scott G. Wood (Melanie), nieces, Jenny Penney (Jason), and Karen Bowers (Matthew), along with great-nieces, and great-nephews, Hayden, Hunter Penney, Laiken, Luke, Landry Bowers, and an extended family of Gardner cousins. Dr. Gardner attended Benton High School, was very active in sports, excelled at track and held many state records in the 440 and 440 relay while also running the 100 yd. dash, hurdles, and the 880 relay. He is remembered fondly by his teammates' nickname SuperKen when at one meet he scored more points than the entire Bauxite track team. A lifelong Razorback fan, Dr. Gardner attended the University of Arkansas and UALR before entering medical school at UAMS in 1978. He graduated in 1982. He practiced medicine for 38 years. Dr. Gardner did his general residency at St. Vincent's Infirmary in Little Rock. Following completing general residency he began a Radiation Oncology residency at the University Of Florida, Gainesville, Fla. After completing his residency he practiced at NARTI in NWA, CARTI, followed by practices in Sarasota Florida, then helped design St. Edward Mercy's Hembree Cancer Center in Ft. Smith, practicing there for several years. His father became ill with lung cancer in Benton and he relocated to UAMS WINTHROP Rockefeller Cancer Institute to be closer to his family. There he specialized in breast, prostate, head and neck tumors and was one of the first in the state to be specially trained to perform the Gamma knife procedure. He then started his second new clinic at Landmark Cancer Center in Rogers, then went to Ocala Florida, followed by a return to St Edward Mercy Hembree Cancer Center. He was employed there at the time of his death. He leaves behind staff, colleagues, patients, and friends, at every place he ever worked who love him. He was an avid Large Mouth Bass freshwater fisherman and tarpon, snook, redfish, and trout fisherman in saltwater. He liked to sing Elvis songs in the O.R., and played the guitar, learning from his Dad at a very young age. A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, June 12, 2021, at 1 p.m., at Roller-Alcoa Funeral Home, 6700 Alcoa Road, Benton, Ark. Visitation will be an hour prior to the service, beginning at 12 p.m. At the family's request, you are asked to wear a mask for attendance. Donations may be made to the University of Florida Residency Program, Hembree Cancer Center St. Edward Mercy Ft. Smith, the Benton Athletic Memorial Museum, or a charity of your choice. Addresses for mail-in and web memorial donations may be found at: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/bryant attached to his obituary page. Please sign the guestbook at: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/bryant