Ralph "W" Gardner, 85, passed away peacefully in West Jordan at the home of his daughter, Betty G. Naylor. He was surrounded by the things and people that meant the most to him in this life.
Ralph was born on the Gardner farm December 20, 1912 and died on that same farm February 23, 1998. He was the son of William and Mary Elizabeth Thomas Gardner. He was the father of two daughters, Mary Ann G. Jorgensen and Betty G. Naylor and the grandfather of three grandsons who were his pride and joy, Kenneth William, Bradlee Ralph and David "G" Naylor (Bobbie S.) and two granddaughters, Caroline Kreutzkamp (Charles Allen) and Apryll Lynell Jorgensen. Ralph married Florence Alexina Woodbury October 25, 1937 in Salt Lake City. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple May 4, 1938. She preceded him in death.Ralph was an example of industry, frugality, promptness and integrity. During his life, he engaged in farming, dairying, poultry raising and working at the Utah-Idaho Sugar Factory, U.S. Poultry, U.S. Smelter and Salt Lake County Roads and Bridges. Ralph was handy with tools and could build and repair things easily.
Retirement allowed him to pursue a hobby of restoring tractors and antique farm machinery. He was an avid reader of religious and historical literature and a collector of memorabilia. He had a keen interest in his ancestry and enjoyed reminiscing with relatives, old friends and neighbors. He always enjoyed hunting and fishing. Even though he had limited mobility during the last few years of his life, he still maintained management of the family farm and continued to be involved in its operation.
Besides his daughters, sons-in-law, Theron Don Jorgensen and William Lee Naylor, and grandchildren, Ralph is survived by one sister, Ethel Cook, West Jordan; and two great-grandchildren, Chazz Jorgen and Mary McKayla Kreutzkamp, Orem. He was preceded in death by his wife, Florence; parents; and one sister, Mary Grace Brown. Ralph was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and a devoted family man.
Funeral services will be held at Goff Mortuary, 8090 So. State, Midvale, Utah, Thursday, February 26, at 12 Noon. A viewing will be held at the mortuary Wednesday evening from 6-8 p.m. and one hour prior to funeral services Thursday. Interment will be in the West Jordan Cemetery.
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