Warren Allen Gardner left his loved ones behind on September 22, 2016. Warren was born on June 25, 1924 in Outlook, WA to parents John Andrew Gardner and Annie Pearl Gardner (Giles). He was the eldest of six siblings. Warren was born in to a hard working logging family and at a young age provided the much needed support and leadership to the family business. These were the difficult times of the Great Depression and prewar years.
Warren is survived by his loving wife of 44 years Laura Vivian Gardner. Laura’s professional background as a retired Holy Family RN provided invaluable assistance during Warren’s recent decline in health. Additionally, he is survived by his sister, Eileen Pfeiffer, brother James Gardner; children Allen (Lori) Gardner, Deanna (Ted) Fisher, Elizabeth Turner, Rita Gardner; step-children David (Jacque) Brown, Raymond (Janet) Brown, Patricia (Collin) Cary and Brenda (Ray) Barry. Currently Warren and Laura have a combined total of 41 grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Warren is preceded in death by his parents John and Pearl, brothers Johnny (Leah) and Dale (Jackie), sisters Gertrude and Audrey, sister-in-law Judy (James) Gardner step-daughter Caroline Brown and daughter-in-law Nancy (Allen) Gardner.
Warren was passionate about many things. He was a self-taught pilot, machinist, wood worker, heavy equipment operator and designer/architect. His number one passion as a young man was to become a pilot. With his brothers, he built, crashed and re-built many model airplanes. These passions eventually lead Warren to buying and restoring antique airplanes. In 1953, Warren purchased a 1929 Golden Eagle Chief in shambles for one hundred dollars. He continued to upgrade and make improvements to stay current with evolving aviation standards. Warren owned the airplane for approximately thirty years and it is still flying today.
Warren returned to another one of his lifelong passions of metal working. With his machine work, he created precision scale model logging equipment. His productions have been displayed throughout the northwest at numerous fairs, museums and logging conventions.
Warren’s talents lead to lifelong friendships and memberships in the Experimental Aircraft Association, Antique Aircraft Association, Inland Empire Gas and Steam Buffs, Antique Caterpillar Machinery Owners Club and the Intermountain Logging Conference, Inc.
To many who knew him, Warren was a brilliant craftsman and story teller. His sharp memory and detail to names, dates and places was legendary. He was affectionately named Smooth which described his extraordinary road building expertise. A couple of Warren’s mottos were “For a Smooth Road, Call Smooth” and “If you can describe it, I can do it!” Throughout the road of life, Warren developed lifelong friendships with innumerable individuals. Few people, young and old escaped the wit, humor and love of Warren.
