Myron Gardner celebrates 50 years with State Farm

When asked whether he saw himself celebrating 50 years with State Farm, Myron Gardner answered, "No, I didn't."

Nevertheless, co-workers and family showed up to his office early Monday morning to celebrate the agency owner's major milestone.

Gardner, 75, believes his time with State Farm has offered him "the best of both worlds." He said he has a very fulfilling career that gives him the opportunity to help people through some difficult challenges. At the same time, he's never missed a beat with his family.

Over the years, Gardner said his career allowed him to take several vacations with his wife, Nancy, and their three children — David Gardner, Julie Gardner Flippo, and Susan Gardner Riedel.

More recently, those family vacations have even included many of his grandchildren, Myron Gardner said.

Gardner speaks emotionally when he describes the invaluable relationships he's built with co-workers as well as clients. In his first week as an agent with State Farm, Gardner recalls meeting two of his first customers, a couple in Florence.

"A lady called the office, I won't name any names, but she wanted a quote for some auto insurance or homeowners' insurance. She invited me out to their home, and she had an apple pie made and a pot of coffee," Gardner said, wiping away a couple of tears. "I'll never forget it."

Though the unnamed lady has since passed away, Gardner said he still insures her husband and one of their children. As far as other lifetime customers, Gardner said, "I've got plenty of those."

While the job has afforded him a healthy home life with his family, Gardner said there were still late nights and working through lunches some days.

"I have worked until 11 or 11:30 at night, but I made it a practice to never call (clients) after 9 p.m.," he said.

Gardner was hired for the Florence State Farm by Manager E.A. "Jim" Cunningham.

"He scared me to death, but I was impressed by him," Gardner said. "On my first day, I walked in wearing a three-piece suit ready to take on the world."

That first day, Gardner said he and a fellow agent stepped out of the office for lunch. When they returned, Cunningham made no bones about the break.

"If we were going to close the office for lunch, we'd better have a heck of a day on the 30th of every month," Gardner said. "We didn't close for lunch after, and I haven't since."

Instead, Gardner opts for lunch at his desk, or he meets clients over meals at dinner.

"He loves this community and he loves serving," Gardner's granddaughter, Julia Riedel, said. She worked for her grandfather for two years performing secretarial work and helping with marketing the business.

While Gardner has learned to adjust to ever-changing office technology, he said he still prefers in-person handshakes.

"This company has been good to me, but you don't forget the people who put you where you are," he said, naming four key employees who he said made a lasting positive impact on the agency.

"Beth Keller put me on the map," he said. "And people love her. She is precious. She worked here for more than 25 years, retired and came back twice."

Keller, who was hired in sales and service but eventually moved up to office manager, said she came back part-time because she knew Gardner needed someone who knew his customers.

"Myron has been very good to work for, and he has some nice people insured," she said.

Keller joined the team over 30 years ago and was trained by Betty Simpson, who Gardner called a "sparkplug," because she was so integral to the smooth running of Gardner's insurance business.

"She trained Beth, and Beth became a sparkplug plus. She trained Madeline and Paula," he said.

Madeline Champion and Paula Hobbs were among the four employees that Gardner said made up his A-team. The two have since passed away.

"After Paula and Beth retired, we've had several other agents. When you've had the best, it's hard not to compare them," Gardner said.

He's proud he has dedicated staff and agents today like Alicia Wylie, who has been with Gardner's State Farm Agency for the past 14 years, and Seth Wooten, who joined almost two years ago.

Though Gardner has been with the business for 50 years, he said retirement is not in his sights.

"I don't know what I'd rather be doing," he said. "It's been a great career with no regrets. I don't have any."

Chelsea.retherford@timesdaily.com or 256-740-5736.