Harry Eugene Gardner

Harry Eugene Gardner was born in Rifle, Colorado, to Harry Glenn and Susan Veta Gardner on April 22, 1928. He passed into the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ at home in his Grand Junction residence on October 16, 2024, at 96 years of age. His peaceful passing, of natural causes, was attended by his daughter Lisa Harris.

Harry was a lifetime resident of Western Colorado living in Rifle, Paradox Valley, and Durango during his youth. Most memorable were his years living in the town of Bedrock in Paradox Valley where his favorite pastime was hunting rattlesnakes.

Harry graduated in 1946 from High School in Durango, Colorado. He attended Fort Lewis College, and graduated with his bachelor’s degree in chemistry and metallurgy from the University of Colorado in 1950. He joined the United States Army in 1951and was assigned to the Aberdene Proving Grounds. While in the Army he met Betty Lou Neff of Easter, Missouri, through one of his army friends. He immediately demonstrated an interest in only Betty. After dating and correspondence they were married on July 27, 1953. They made their first home in Rifle, Colorado, while Harry worked at the Anvil Point oil-shale operations of National Lead. They were lovingly and faithfully married for 71 years.

A loving and involved family man Harry will be greatly missed by Betty and his three children. He involved each of them in his favorite pastimes of fishing, hunting, and generally anything outdoors. Camping out he was always up before dawn returning to his sleepy family with fresh fish for breakfast, something Betty never appreciated cooking over an open fire so early in the morning. All his children are avid in the outdoors to this day and the time spent fishing, hunting, hiking, and camping remain as some of the best memories of family life.

His greatest contribution to his family was his spiritual leadership. Early in his married life Harry came to know Jesus Christ as his Savior through the influence of his younger brother, Richard, and the help of his first pastor Oliver Shumaker. He and Betty were charter members of Galilee Baptist Church and they continued in faithful service as Sunday school teachers, choir members, and Harry as a deacon and treasurer for the church until they transferred membership to the Redlands Community Church early in the 1980’s where they currently are members.

Harry’s career in metallurgy was honored and acclaimed. He worked for the Atomic Energy Commission in Grand Junction and subsequently for the Union Carbide Corporation. His work resulted in four different patents for specialized mineral processing technologies. These were related to the recovery and refinement of vanadium and uranium. He was published and presented at an international symposium at Cambridge, England. He also worked in the development of processes for the recovery and refinement of tungsten, and chromium. Quiet and unassuming on the job, when he did speak everyone took note and listened respectfully.

Following retirement Harry and Betty divided their time between their Grand Junction home and a home in Catalina near Tucson, Arizona. He helped his younger brother, Richard, build a home and enjoyed hiking and viewing the sights of the Arizona desert.

Harry is survived by his wife Betty Lou, his three children Glenn Gardner (Charlene) of Grand Junction, Lisa Harris (Robert) of Grand Junction, Dale Gardner (Joyce) of Logan Utah, a sister-in-law Laurie May Gardner of Tucson, Arizona, eight grandchildren, Rachel Alvir, Wendy Alvir, Nichole Glenn, Melissa Feldman, Douglas Gardner, Jason Gardner, Rebekah Fuller, and Richard Gardner. Also surviving are his 21 great grandchildren.

A quiet man with a dry sense of humor, obvious wisdom, and a deep love for God, Harry will be missed greatly. Yet, for those remaining there is joy and hope for he is now present with the Savior he loved. May his love and consistent faith endure in those of us remaining behind. He will be loved but missed until we meet again.