October 6, 1943 - May 18, 2024
Steven Lewis Gardner was born to James and Edith (Smith) Gardner on October 6, 1943 in Wray. He passed away on May 18, 2024 in Wray. Steve grew up in a small farmhouse north of Eckley. The family didn’t have running water or electricity until they moved west of Wray in 1957. This could be why Steve was so laid back and content with whatever he had. He also learned about hard work and the value of family.
Steve graduated from Wray High School in 1962. He worked on the family farm until 1965, when he joined the army. He served in Germany and Vietnam as a heavy equipment operator. During his time overseas, he wrote to and received letters from the woman who would later become his bride. When Steve was honorably discharged in 1968, he married Pat Douglass, with whom he would spend the next 55 years.
Steve and Pat moved to Fort Collins where Steve worked for Woodward Governor. They had their first daughter, Robin while there. In 1972, the family moved to Wray where Steve first began working for the natural gas company in the downtown office. This would be the start of a 43 year career in the natural gas industry. Steve became an expert at reading meters, fixing compressors, and a little bit of everything else. He knew where all of the meters and roads in the area were. Even after his retirement in 2015, he would still get phone calls asking about the locations of things. Over these years at the gas company, Steve raised a family, adding three more children, Rick, Kevin and Kerri.
He taught them about hard work and instilled in them Christian values and a strong family bond. He showed them, not just told them. He taught his children and later his grandchildren all of these things in his own quiet way. Steve was a humble and honest man who never even cursed when angry. He could be stubborn, but in a way that meant he never strayed from his beliefs. Steve enjoyed collecting tractors, making and eating homemade ice cream, doing yard work, gardening, and travelling to see historic places. Steve loved God, his country, and his family. He was always proud of his kids and grandkids and loved spending time with them. He was active in his church and always did what he could for his church family or anyone else who needed help.
Steve is preceded in death by his parents, James and Edith Gardner, his nine siblings, Alfred, Kenneth, Helen, Eugene, Esther, Clyde, Sharon, Eldon, and Ervin. He’s survived by his wife Pat, children, Robin and husband Jeff (Helms), Rick and Jennifer, Kevin, Kerri and husband James (Bliss), and grandchildren Nolan Helms, Molly, Megan, Chyann, and Casey Gardner, and Westin and Bethany Bliss. He will also be mourned by numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Thursday May 23, 2024 from 8:00am to 5:00pm at Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home.
Funeral Services will be held at the Wray Nazarene Church on May 24, 2024 at 2:00pm with burial to follow at Grandview Cemetery in Wray Colorado.
Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
