Neal Gardner

Click Here To View Memorial Video Harold Neal Gardner was born at home in Garfield, Idaho, on December 19, 1935, to Leslie John Gardner and Jennie Loraine Smith Gardner. He was the second of three children. He left his earthly home on August 25, 2015, at the age of 79 at Peak Village Assisted Living. He was under the care of Hearts for Hospice. Dad grew up in Ucon, Idaho and from a young age worked hard on the family farm. He learned how to keep the farm equipment running and could fix almost anything. He graduated from Bonneville High School in 1955. Dad was an excellent athlete in high school, lettering in three sports, football, basketball, and track. On July 22, 1955, he married his high school sweetheart, Helen Whitehead. To this union were born four children, Laurie, Richard a.k.a. Barney, Kim, and Nikki. Mom passed away in May 1991, leaving Dad broken hearted. In 1996, he married Ann Hurley. They were later divorced. Dad was a proud member of the Idaho National Guard for 12 years, earning the rank of Sergeant First Class. The majority of his life he worked as a warehouse foreman in potato warehouses up and down the valley. He was well liked by his crew. He worked long hours to provide for his family. By example, Dad instilled in us a strong work ethic. Dad’s greatest passion was horses. He loved getting on his horse and riding in the foothills of Iona. He rode in the Iona Posse for twenty plus years and his favorite part was racing. He had a multitude of trophies. He was an excellent trainer and could get his horses to do almost anything he wanted. His love of horses never faded even though he was no longer able to ride. We would take him all over the state to watch his son Barney’s race horses. His room was plastered with pictures of horses and Dad standing proud and tall in the winner’s circle. Dad loved to tease and play with his grandchildren. He was just a “big kid” himself and would get on the floor and play with them and chase them around the house. We will miss him tremendously. Dad is survived by his children, Laurie Byington of Idaho Falls; Richard (Kelly) Gardner of Rigby; Kim (Vince) Gallacher of Bothell, WA; Nicole (Michael) Grover of Broken Arrow, OK; a sister, Venetta Wood of Murray, UT; nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 36 years, Helen, his parents Leslie and Jennie Gardner, brother Jack Gardner, parents-in-law Cloyd and May Whitehead, brothers-in-law, Lynn Wood, Harvey Whitehead, and Larry Whitehead. We would like to give special thanks to Nicole and Kelly and the rest of the staff at the Peak Village Assisted Living for their love and care of Dad for the past two years. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 29, 2015, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 South Ammon Road, with Pastor Scotty Brown officiating. The family will visit with friends from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. prior to services. Burial will be in the Iona Cemetery.

Funeral Services will be held

11 a.m. ,Saturday, August 29, 2015 Wood Funeral Home East Side 963 South Ammon Road Idaho Falls, ID 83406 Notes: The family will visit with friends from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. prior to services. Burial will be in the Iona Cemetery.