Longtime News-Banner Editor and Publisher Max Gardner passed away at age 75 last Wednesday at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Savannah. Gardner worked at the newspaper for over 52 years before retiring in 2008. In 1981 Gardner and his wife, Helen, purchased the newspaper outright from Community Newspaper Services.
Gardner wrote untold articles, columns and editorials as well as drew cartoons for the newspaper during his career. He was a Georgia Press Association and National Newspaper Association award winner in countless categories, had served on the Georgia Press Association’s Board of Directors and was a member of the Georgia Press Association’s Golden Club for members that had held a position in the newspaper industry for over 50 years. Gardner was also a former President of the Baxley-Appling County Chamber of Commerce and the Appling County Exchange Club.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Helen, three sons, Freddy, Timmy and Jamie and their spouses, seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.