Darrell James Gardner, Age 72, passed away at home on March 28, 2020 in West Valley City, Utah. He was born August 21st, 1947 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Vincent D. Gardner and Helen Drummond. He attended and graduated from South High School in 1965. Darrell met the love of his life Judy Hoesch. After their courtship, they married on Feb 22, 1971 in Granger, Utah and lived in West Valley City for almost 50 years.
Darrell enjoyed traveling, especially by planes and trains. He was an avid bowler for over 50 years and was league secretary for over 25 years. He was the recipient of many state and ABC awards. Received his 40 year ABC Congress Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.
He loved to watch the LA Dodgers and Salt Lake Bees games, enjoyed watching anything train or railroad related and Seinfield was a tv show he could relate to. Also he liked the Honeymooners, The Little Rascals and any old time radio programs.
Darrell worked in his younger years for the Salt Lake Bees as the clubhouse manager and later worked for Eddie Airlines, prior to being hired on by Western Airlines and then later on at Delta Airlines where he retired after 41 years of dedicated service. He especially loved his annual golf trips to Myrtle Beach, SC where he would enjoy spending time with his golf buddies Tommy, Bob and Lee. He enjoyed eating the prime rib dinner at the Flamingo Grill whether he was treating the king or enjoying the king dinner for himself. He very much enjoyed taking train trips across the country with his wife Judy, meeting new people along the way and also had a few good adventures, too many to tell! His two favorite places to visit and vacation were Jackpot and Reno Nevada.
He loved taking his family on vacations when the kids were younger. They went to Hawaii numerous times, Disneyland, along with several cruises with his wife and friends. He especially enjoyed his bowling trips each year for the ABC tournaments. He took the kids to several sporting events, such as Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves baseball games. He also attended an NFL Football game in Minnesota and explored the Mall Of America.
He is survived by his loving wife Judy, of 49 years. Children: Bryan James, Darren Vincent, and Danny Lester plus his cat Shadow. Daughter in laws Summer and Kristen, six grand children and three great-grand children. Darrell was proceeded in death by both his parents Danny and Helen Gardner.
Darrell and Judy have appreciated the many friends and numerous friendships over the years and along the way. We want everyone to remember Darrell for the kind and caring man that he was. Please keep Darrell in your thoughts, prayers, and memories since he was a one of a kind person, wonderful father, husband and friend.
A private interment service will be held at Valley View Memorial Park. A Celebration of Darrell’s life will be held at a later date.
SHARE OBITUARYSHARE
v.1.15.0