Judith "Judy" Ard Kaiser

Judith “Judy” Ard Kaiser went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, June 1, 2021 surrounded by family. Daughter of Merriel and Norma Ard of Robertsdale, AL, she was born at the Baldwin Hospital, over the pharmacy in Foley, on May 25, 1946. She graduated from Bishop Toolen High School in Mobile, AL in 1964 and received her Associates Degree in Dental Hygiene at Pensacola Junior College in 1966. On August 31, 1967, she married the love of her life, John P. Kaiser, Jr of Elberta, AL, celebrating 53 years of love and laughter until her passing.

Judy was raised in Elsanor and Robertsdale, AL and lived 10 years in Memphis, TN then returned back home to Baldwin County and settled in Gulf Shores. Judy was a well-known business leader where she opened her iconic store, Happi Corner along highway 59 a half mile from the beach. She also owned Kaiser Landscaping with her husband John and opened a plant nursery. Judy became a community leader, serving as president of the Restaurant Association and becoming involved in the Mardi Gras Krewe, the Mystic Order of Shiners. She was elected to the Gulf Shores City Council in 1989 and served until 2005. Her proudest achievements during her tenure include the start of EMS services in Gulf Shores, construction of Kids Park, the Rec Center, and the Adult Activity Center along with steerheading beach renourishment projects along Gulf Shores beaches. Judy organized and directed the Gulf Shores Mardi Gras Parade Association for 31 years until 2017. After her retirement from politics, Judy followed her passion to protect the beach and its wildlife by joining Share the Beach as a volunteer turtle nest finder and birther for 12 years. Judy made friends with tourists from across the country who annually connected with her on their vacations to the coast.

Judy is survived by her loving husband, John P. Kaiser, Jr, daughters Wendy Kaiser DeSchoolmeester (David), Lani Kaiser Washington (Jedidiah), and Amanda Kaiser, grandchildren Grattan Sargent, Claire Sargent Munoz (Saul), and John Paul Kaiser, III, niece Lori Carter (Shane) and great nephew Michael Carter, along with Kaiser brother and sister in laws, nieces, and nephews and Ard cousins.