Richard L. Gardner

He was born May 13, 1947 to Van B. and Delores (Holzworth) Gardner in Mountain Home, Arkansas. He was raised and schooled in Thornton, Colorado. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in August 1966 and served 1 year in Viet Nam with the 101st Airborne during Operation Eagle Thrust. He was honorably discharged in 1969 from Fort Carson, Colorado. He worked for IML Truck Line until 1982 and then worked as a truck driver for Yellow Freight Truck Line until he retired in 1999. After his retirement he became an instructor for a Truck Driving School in Cheyenne until 2007. Then he drove the portable MRI Machine for DMS Imaging until his death.

Richard was a member of the Miracle Lodge #182 AF & AM, East Lake, Colorado, and Gate City Lodge 32 AF & AM of Pine Bluff, Wyoming and past master of both. He was also a member of the Scottish rite the Valley of Cheyenne. He also was a member of the VFW.

He married Karen Glaser on April 12, 1969 in Thornton, Colorado. They have 2 children; daughter Lynette and son Preston. Mr. Gardner is survived by his wife Karen of 41 years, children Lynette of Johnstown, Colorado and Preston (Jennie) of Laurel, Montana. He is also survived by three grandchildren Lisa, Jordan (Keaton) of Cheyenne, Wyoming and Garret Lee and Ian Cole of Laurel, Montana and his mother Delores of Longmont, Colorado and one sister Kathy Hutton of Commerce City, Colorado and many Aunts, Uncles, Nephews, Nieces, Cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father Van B. and brother Douglas and grandparents. Services will be Friday July 30th at 2:30p.m at Olinger Highland Mortuary and Cemetery, Thornton, Colorado with Reverend Michael Haldeman officiating. Interment will be at Highland Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of Olinger Highland Mortuary & Cemetery, Thornton, CO

“One could say that going through loss is the great awakener. It is a potential opening if you don’t run away from it. What is usually condemned as “bad” by the mid and the mind-made self is actually grace coming into your life”

.