Duane Keith Gardner, age 68, of Henderson, Nevada passed away on Saturday, September 5, 2020. Keith was born March 3, 1952 in Fort Bragg, North Carolina to his parents Duane and Ann Gardner. He was raised around the oil fields of Kern County, California and finished school in 1970 at The British Embassy in Larnaca, Cyprus.
Keith would travel to Tehran, Iran to join his father, an oil superintendent. And after living abroad he would enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1970 at the American Embassy in Tehran. After graduation from MCRD Parris Island, Keith would marry and be stationed aboard MCRD San Diego with C&E Battalion. He volunteered in 1972 for service in Vietnam with H&MS 36 aboard MCAS Futenma and with forward elements at Phu Bai. Keith participated in Operation "End Sweep" and ended his career in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1979.
Keith went on to work in the oil industry, serving as a motorman aboard the WODECO VIII, an oil exploratory rig in the South China Seas. At the age of 28, Keith was injured while overseas and nearly lost his life. He continued to fight to provide for his family even after doctors gave him only a few years to live. He lived to inspire and lead.
During his time in Georgia, Keith would become a Justice of the Peace in Henry County, he would also help to create a Cub Scout Pack and a Boy Scout Troop and worked to make scouting an open and equal place for all. He believed that scouting helped create better people.
After leaving the scouts and moving west to one of his childhood homes, Las Vegas Nevada; Keith joined the American Red Cross becoming the head of the Nellis AFB chapter, and later acting chapter manager of Las Vegas. Keith entered the National Red Cross while responding to disasters and became a Level 5 Disaster Welfare Officer. He responded to disasters across the nation from: Hurricane Andrew, Iniki, Emily, Felix, and many others. But it would be his handling of the Red Cross DWI (Disaster Welfare Inquiry) Center in Las Vegas for the Northridge earthquake that would earn him the Red Crosses highest honor, The Clara Barton Award.
Unfortunately, Keith's ailments became too much and he enjoyed his time as a grandfather. Eventually losing his independence he had to move in with his son and to be closer to his only grandchild. Keith continued to look for ways to continue to give back to the community and challenge himself. He began the long arduous journey to become an Episcopal Deacon in his church, St. Timothy’s.
Keith Gardner was an incredible man who loved his family, his Corps, his faith, and his nation. He will be missed by us all and our world is less bright without him.
Keith was preceded in death by his parents Duane and Ann Gardner; siblings: Carol Howard (Robert), Charles Gardner, and Pamela Enriquez. He is survived by his son Duane Gardner (Catrina); granddaughter, Sabrina Gardner; former spouse, Adrienne Ackley; and brother-in-law, Reuben Enriquez.
A visitation for Keith will be held Wednesday, October 28, 2020 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Funeral services will begin at 6:00 PM, both at Palm Boulder Highway Mortuary, 800 South Boulder Highway, Henderson, Nevada 89015. A graveside services with Marine Corps honors will be Thursday, October 29, 2020 at 10:40 AM at the Southern Nevada Veteran's Memorial Cemetery, 1900 Veteran's Memorial Drive, Boulder City, Nevada 89005.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmboulderhighway.com for the Gardner family.
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