| | L. Eddie Garner Jr. 
WINTER HAVEN — Mr. L. Eddie Garner Jr. of Winter Haven was accepted into the Kiowa Tribe as a child, an experience he used to teach children about diversity later in life.
Mr. Garner died of heart failure Thursday (Aug. 24, 2006) at Kindred Hospital, Tampa. He was 74.
Born July 29, 1932, in Chicago, Mr. Garner was a child of the Depression. When his parents were unable to care for him, they searched for someone who could.
Through their relation to D.F. Barry, a well-known photographer of Native Americans,
they entrusted Mr. Garner to the Kiowa Tribe in Anadarko, Okla.
“It doesn’t happen every day, but during the Depression if you had a child, you left it with someone who could care for it,’’ said his wife, Alicia M. Garner. “He wasn’t born into the tribe, but he was a part of them.’’
Mr. Garner had little contact with his parents, his wife said. He stayed with the tribe until he began attending high school in Chicago.
“He got caught up going to vaudeville shows,’’ said his son, Scott Garner. While attending these performances, he got his first taste of magic. After moving to Winter Haven in 1982, he used his skills as an illusionist to entertain tourists at Cypress Gardens Adventure Park.
“He was known as Jeddered the Wandering Magician.
He did sleight of hand and anything you could do out of your pocket.’’
Mr. Garner also spent his time traveling to local schools to give speeches about diversity and Native American culture.
“His big thing was acceptance,’’ his wife said. “He loved kids and he liked to show them that there’s a whole world out there.’’
Mr. Garner served in the Air Force during the Korean War. He owned Alicia’s Barber & Beauty. He served as an associate professor for Ball State University. He also worked as a magician. He was a member of American Legion Post 8,
Winter Haven, Gold Wing Riders and a life member of the DAV.
Mr. Garner is survived by his wife, Alicia Garner, Winter Haven; son, Scott Garner, Winter Haven; and one grandchild.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Oak Ridge Funeral Care, Winter Haven. Services are private.
Oak Ridge Funeral Care, Winter Haven. By Matthew Pleasant
The Ledger
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