Jerald (Jerry) D. Gardner

Bend, Oregon Jerald (Jerry) D. Gardner went Home to our Lord on Sunday, May 22, 2016. He passed away peacefully after a lengthy illness, surrounded by his loving family and his devoted wife, Linda, of 54 years. Jerry was born to Price and Rowena Gardner on May 27, 1931 in Hamilton, Texas. He was raised on a small farm and attended elementary school at the one room Blue Ridge School House. He graduated from Hamilton High School where he was active in all sports. He attended Tarleton State University in Texas. During the Korean War Jerry enlisted in the Navy and served aboard the USS St Paul, spending 3 of his 4 years abroad in Japan. He was in special forces where he was a pitcher for the Navy Baseball Team. His love of baseball continued throughout his life, and he was drafted to play ball for the Los Angeles Dodgers and then played for the Los Angeles City League. After being honorably discharged from the Navy Jerry became employed by North American Rockwell in Canoga Park, CA where he was involved in testing rocket engines for early space exploration and the Apollo II Manned Lunar Mission. It was in Canoga Park where he met his future wife, Linda Geer, and they were married in 1962 at the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection. In 1969 they moved to Bend, Oregon to raise their family, making the move along with their dearest friends to this day, Fred and Judy Newton. Jerry and Linda owned service stations in Sisters, OR and Bend, OR until they retired in 1999. Jerry was a member of the Bend Golf Country Club for many years, and was an avid golfer, hunter and fisherman. Many fun stories have been told by his close hunting and camping friends. He was referred to as "Camp Counselor" for the Runnymuck Camp by his camping buddies. Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Linda, two daughters and one son-in-law, Cindy (Gardner) Martino and Rod Martino, Kathy (Gardner) Hollister; one son, David Gardner; 10 grandchildren (Granddaughter, Hailey Hollister of Bend will honor her Pa through her gift of song at the Memorial Service); 3 brothers, Eugene Gardner (wife Lloyda), Ronald Gardner (wife Delores) and Dale Gardner (wife Sandy); one sister Shirley (Gardner) Massingill (husband Eugene); and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Price and Rowena Gardner, and one son, Dean Gardner. Jerry was known by all who knew him as a kind and loving soul. He will be dearly missed by all. The family would like to sincerely thank the wonderful caregivers who so lovingly cared for Jerry for the past two years. The family requests that memorials in Jerrys honor may be made to Partners In Care or Grace First Lutheran Church. A viewing will be held on May 31, 2016, from 4-6pm at Niswonger-Reynolds. The Celebration of Life will be held at Grace First Lutheran Church at NW Shevlin Park Rd, Bend, OR on June 1, 2016 at 11am. Funeral Home: Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home New 105 NW Irving Ave Bend, OR US 97701

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Jerald (Jerry) D. Gardner

May 27, 1931 - May 22, 2016