GARDNER, Earl B. Jr., "Red" Age 82, of Centerville, passed away peacefully Sunday, October 16, 2005 at the Cleveland Clinic with his daughter by his side. Beloved husband and father is survived by his wife of 55 years, Phyllis (Lewis) Gardner; one daughter Molly Farley, her husband Ken, and three grandchildren Steven, Emily, and Kevin. He is also survived by four siblings, G. Neal Gardner, Jane Ekstrom, Nancy Rogers and Jack Gardner. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Elizabeth Gardner, his brother Wayne Gardner and his sister Lorraine Keim. The third of seven children, Earl Jr. was born on September 18, 1923 in Montgomery County, Indiana. He began a very successful basketball career at New Market High school in Indiana where he graduated in 1941. Red attended Wabash College until he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was selected for Officer Training, became an Ensign, and was assigned to the USS Cassin. After WWII, Earl attended DePauw University where he earned Little-All-American and All-State-Selection and set high-scoring basketball records which stood for many years. After graduating in 1948 Red played basketball for the Minneapolis Lakers, where his team won the first NBA World Championship in 1949. He received his Masters degree in Health and Physical Education from Indiana University. In 1950 Earl and Phyllis where married and settled in Dayton Ohio. He served the students of Oakwood High School for 33 years as coach, guidance counselor, and teacher. Since his retirement, Earl volunteered at Fairmont Presbyterian Church where he was a longtime member, Meals on Wheels, and Yankee Trace Golf Course. Red has been inducted into the Sam Andrews Educational Hall of Honor, the Depauw University Athletic Hall of Fame, and the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. Memorial service 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 21, 2005 at Fairmont Presbyterian Church, 3705 Far Hills Ave. Private interment David's Cemetery. Arrangements in care of Tobias Funeral Home – Far Hills Chapel.