"My tata loved life and family; he was vivacious and had countless hobbies. His ancestry projects were often very extensive, and some of my favorite memories are those of him and myself working on one together. Sometimes he needed help with computer software, and because he was such a great engineer among other things, I liked to think he would have learned to fix and/or build computer hardware and we could work as a team on even more projects. He is always loved, and will live on in our hearts. {Miranda Fry}"
In loving memory of
Edward Frederick Gardner
December 10, 1932 - July 26, 2020
Edward Frederick Gardner, 87, passed away into God's loving arms on Sunday, July 26, 2020. He was a wonderful father, grandfather, and a mischievous son and brother who was devoted to his family. He was born on December 10, 1932 in Nogales, Arizona. He grew up in the Santa Cruz County towns of Nogales, Dusquesne, Washington Camp and Patagonia where he learned to ride horses and fix just about anything that needed fixing, especially cars. He left Patagonia Union High School in his senior year to serve in the Army where he attended the Engineer School in Fort Belvoir, Virginia and served as a Combat Construction Specialist. After leaving the Army, he spent time working as a miner, including the copper mines of Superior, Arizona where he met his wife, Beatrice Flores. He moved with her to Phoenix and Scottsdale and spent his career as an Engineer Construction Foreman and a Master Mechanic who could repair large diesel equipment as well as all make and model cars. After Beatrice passed away from illness, he married Wilma Humphrey and ultimately moved to Paradise Valley, working for the City of Peoria, retiring with honors in 2003.
Throughout his life he loved music, could dance up a storm and sing. He taught himself how to play the guitar, mandolin, accordion, harmonica, banjo and the piano. It was during his retirement that he explored and thoroughly researched his family history. He was proud to be a direct descendant of Thomas Frederick Gardner, an Arizona pioneer, who resided in the Arizona Territory prior to February 14, 1912; and he was proud to be a direct descendant of the Tomás Lopez family, Arizona pioneers and settlers whose patriarchs worked as cowboys at the Empire Ranch. Through his research he united and reunited generations of family members, amplifying his discoveries through a variety of DNA testing services. He embraced technology, using the internet extensively for his research.
He is survived by his loving daughters, Roxane and Betty and his son, Allen, his three grandchildren, Bryce, Miranda and Danielle; and his big brother, Raymond Thomas Gardner, along with many other extended family members too numerous to mention and all of who loved him so.
A private viewing and ceremony will be held on Monday, August 3, 2020 at Hansen Desert Hills Mortuary and Memorial Park in Scottsdale, followed by cremation. A formal, public Mass and burial will be delayed due to Covid19. Details will be announced when they are determined. Charitable contributions can be made in his memory to The Empire Ranch Foundation, http://www.empireranchfoundation.org/ where he loved to attend the annual Cowboy Festival and give talks about the Gardner-Lopez family history; or the Boulder Crest Retreat. https://bouldercrest.org/ Both organizations are located in Senoita, AZ.
Tributes
"Deborah Hurley So sorry for your loss. I am a friend of Roxane\'s for many years and have met Betty. I know how close the family was and how much their father meant to them. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and may their father Rest In Peace."
"I was sorry for your loss. I met Eddie in 2010 because of his work on the ancestry of his family. We found out we were fourth cousins. I enjoyed the many lunches we had talking about family and Patagonia, Az. I will miss talking to him and learning about Patagonia, Harshaw and the mines of Arizona. May he rest in peace. Christine Villarreal"
"To the Familia of Eddie Gardner, my heartfelt condolences for the loss of a truly beautiful spirit. His caring and kind words for all he met, will be greatly missed. Partners in Genealogy, I too will miss his comraderie. Rest In Peace beautiful Angel Norma Fraijo Mondragon "
"Sending out my condolences to Roxy, Betty and Family. To my Uncle Eddie, Thanks for the fond memories as a young lad of your hospitality to me and my siblings, welcoming us with open arms to your home. I will always cherish watching the Indy 500 on Memorial Day with you and visiting with your family. Sending my prayers. Love always, Rest in Peace. Gary Flores"
"Roxy, Betty and Family, Deepest Sympathy to you and the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. I remember my dad always speaking fondly of Uncle Eddie..?? Rest in Heaven, Uncle Eddie. With lots of Love, Debbie and Chris Badilla ( Flores )"
"Our sincerest condolences to the family. May God bless and comfort you all in these difficult times. Rest in Peace Mr. Gardner, dios de bendiga. La Familia Urquieta Superior, Az"
"I met Eddie on a ancestry trip to Patagonia, Arizona with my sisters. Eddie was a great host who taught us about the Soto family. I enjoyed meeting him and will cherish the memories from our visit. May he rest in peace."
"Mr. Gardner and I were a DNA MATCH through Ancestry.com. We kept in touch by email and I found my great grandfather's photo in his gallery of family photos (Manuel Aguirre Alegria abt 1867). My sincere condolences to his family. I have met through Facebook: Roxane and see his other daughter Mrs. Fry. He enjoyed connectiing family and was very proud of the Empire Ranch."
"I?m so sorry to hear about the passing of Eddy. We met When he was looking for the gravesite of his ancestor. The grave was on our ranch next to the Empire Ranch. Rest In Peace"
"Betty, John and family. So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time."
"Dear Betty and family His passing breaks my heart he was a really good friend to us he was like family and we will miss him greatly we loved him . I hate that we never got back out to see him he asked us all the time when we would be coming out . It seems like he left so quickly. Thank you all for your friendship . We love you all Beth and Linda"
"Betty, John and family, I just wanted to express how sad I am for your family. I know you are a very close loving family and that your Dad will be missed tremendously. Your family will be in my heart and prayer. I am so sorry for your loss at this time. Please always remember those fond memories and talk about them often. Cynthia Wood"
"My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time of loss. My God leave good memories in the hole in your heart that will grow with each passing year. Vickie Wood, Postmaster Loving, NM"
"We are so sorry to hear of Eddie?s passing. May he rest in eternal peace. We will remember him for his always amazing hospitality, welcoming everyone with open arms into his home. Thank you for that Eddie. Love to all the family "