Baker City, Oregon
David Lee Gardner, 81, a longtime Baker City resident, died Dec. 29, 2001, at St. Elizabeth Health Services.
His funeral was Wednesday at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel. Pastor Ed Niswender of the Calvary Baptist Church officiated. Vault interment was in Mount Hope Cemetery. There was a reception afterward at the Calvary Baptist Church.
David Lee Gardner was born to Chester William Gardner Sr. and Cora Young Gardner in Baker City on April 22, 1920. He attended school in the Baker area and was a Baker High School graduate. After graduating, he spent several years delivering mail on the Sparta Stage Route. He had a great love for the people and the land.
Mr. Gardner entered the U.S. Navy a few days after Pearl Harbor and became an aviation boatswain’s mate first class. He was assigned to a carrier for the next three years in the South China Sea and the mid-Pacific where he was in harms way many times.
After World War II, Mr. Gardner returned to the farm up Washington Gulch where he resumed his great love for fishing and hunting. A few short years passed and he was recalled to service during the Korean conflict. He returned to the farm, however, because of family medical conditions. Dave served his country with pride and honor.
In later years, he became quite knowledgeable about the history of World War II, most particularly the naval battles. He was very concerned about the well-being and medical research being done for people with mental disorders. He actively urged Congress to provide additional funds for research.
He met and married Lorraine Hopkins in 1951. He was an avid sportsman and loved fishing (especially for steelhead), elk hunting and hunting for all types of birds.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his wife, Lorraine Gardner of Baker City; his sons, Terry Gardner of Ontario and Dave Lee Gardner Jr. of Baker City; a daughter, Barbara Zinter, and her husband, Sid, of Heppner; grandchildren, Barney, Josh and Jason Zinter of Condon and Heppner and Marc and Daniel Gardner of Moro; a brother, Chester William Gardner, and his wife, Rita, of Washougal, Wash.; a nephew, Frank Gardner of Burns; and numerous other nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression or the Mountain States Tumor Institute.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, January 4, 2002
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor