JIM "RED" GARD

Gard, who is commonly known as "Red," is a retired division director of Field Operations of the U. S. Postal Service. He joined the Postal Service in 1955 as a railway mail clerk, advancing to regional postal service officer in Cincinnati, and district manager/postmaster in Evansville and then New Orleans. He then became director of field operations in Tampa, FL., and one of the top 300 executives in the postal service, before his retirement in 1986.

Gard served as a national officer for the Natiotional Association of Postmasters Retired. He is a member of the Elks of Palmetto, FL,, having been an exalted ruler, state officer and chairman of National Foundation Scholarships. He is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Fathers Auxiliary No. 11 57, an honorary life member of the Harmony Society and a member of the Knights of Columbus No. 712.

At Lincoln, Gard was president of his junior class. He was captain of the track team for four years and a state track medallist in the mile run for two years. He also played football and basketball. He was a member of the LHS Academic Society and the Vincennes Lincoln Lettermen Club.

Gard lives part of the year in Vincennes and part of the year at the Terra Cola Bay Golf and Tennis Club in Palmetto. He and his wife, Barbara, have seven children, nine grandchildren and one great grandson,

He remains actively involved with Lincoln as co-chairman of his class which celebrated its 50th class reunion in 1996.

Distinguished Alumni 1996

Class of 1946