Randy Gardner

“Oh, there you are…we have been waiting for you all week.”  

Randall L Gardner, age 71, a recent townsman of Grantsville, Utah and formerly a long-time resident of West Jordan (1984-2021), passed away peacefully at his Grantsville home in the early morning hours of September 30, 2022, attended by his devoted wife of 42 years and family. 

Randy is survived by his wife Catherine (Hash) Gardner, his three sons, Nolan at home, Barton “BJ”/Kristy (Lundgreen) of Herriman, Jordan/Colette (Connolly) of Hooper, and one daughter Christine/Christopher Nuttall of Grantsville, along with 13 beloved grandchildren and many cherished nieces and nephews.  Surviving brothers are Henry “Jerry”/Colleen (Shields) Gardner of Pleasant Grove and Royce Gardner of San Mateo, California. Sisters include RaNae/Lynn Rogerson Jr. (deceased) of Murray, Marie/Charles “Chick” Leggett (deceased) of South Jordan, Linda/Kent Millington of Highland and KaraLee/Robert Stephenson of Lincoln, Nebraska. He is also survived by his brother-in law Eric Hash, formerly of Downey, Idaho.

Randy was born a twin on September 21, 1951 to Lloyd Gardner and Alba Bodily (both deceased) of Midvale, in the Old Cottonwood Maternity Hospital in Murray, Utah. Randy outlived his twin brother by 34 years, Richard L “Rick” Gardner having passed away in 1988 after battling a serious illness.  Most recently Rick’s sweet wife Sally Kay Buhler passed away in March of 2022.  Also preceding Randy in death are his older brothers, Arden J Gardner and Duane L Gardner/Aleen (Armstrong) of Bountiful (both deceased), as well as his brother-in-law Allan B. Hash/Beverly (Tew) of Layton.  

Randy and Cathy were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on March 8, 1980. After moving to Salt Lake City, Randy began working for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in their forms department at the Church Office Building. His skills were later utilized during his career at the Utah State Tax Commission, where he was an instrumental force in upgrading tax forms. He retired early in 2015 after receiving the diagnosis of ESLD, to which he ultimately succumbed after faithfully enduring for seven years.  

Randy grew up as a youth in Midvale.  After the family moved to Richmond in Cache County, he graduated from Sky View High School in Smithfield in 1970.  While living in Logan, he graduated in 1977 from Utah State University with a degree in Political Science. During his college years he enjoyed perfecting his tenor voice with Sounds of Zion conducted by Craig Jessop, touring and performing in various parts of the United States and Mexico.  As time would permit Randy was striving to get his master’s degree in communications from Weber State.  

As an avid scouter he received the rank of Eagle Scout and Order of The Arrow, later enjoying the privileges of serving as scout camp counselor at various locations including Bear Lake with his twin brother Rick.    

Randy was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His Mission call to Australia West in 1972 was cut short due to poor health, but he found countless other ways to serve the Lord he loved. Later in life he fulfilled a Church Service Mission along with his wife and son Nolan in West Valley, performing document scanning of history books and personal family histories into digital format for the Genealogy Library.  

John Denver’s “This Old Guitar” was how he introduced himself to his eternal companion, and his children will always remember his rendition of “Grandma’s Feather Bed.”

Randy will be remembered the most as a dedicated Family Man. He deemed his greatest treasures on earth to be his family and his testimony of Jesus Christ, his personal Savior. Randy was always proud of his Scottish heritage. Though he wished to have perfected his golf swing more, most Saturdays were spent with his children, attending (and at times coaching) the many football/basketball games and practices, school performances, dance and music recitals.

Having previously served as a temple ordinance worker, he was blessed to enter the temple one last time to attend the marriage of his first granddaughter in July.  Another blessing was to have his first grandson serve a full-time mission (currently laboring in Pennsylvania).  As Grandpa, he was able to hold his last granddaughter, born in November of 2021.  His final gift of time allowed him to celebrate his last birthday with family gathered around him, just nine days before he returned home.  Psalms 37:11 “But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”  

By way of another home coming, viewing and funeral services will take place back in West Jordan on Saturday, October 8, 2022 at Copper Hills Stake Center 5176 West Parr Drive (8430 South). Family viewing to be held from 9:00-9:30; public viewing to be held from 9:30-10:30; funeral services to begin at 11:00.  Interment immediately to follow at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park 3401 S. Highland Drive, Millcreek, Utah. Family members are invited to return to the West Jordan Stake Center for a luncheon.  

Along with countless friends and church ward families, with whom we have developed lasting friendships over the years, our family also wishes to thank Intermountain Hospice for their gentle touch and dedicated care to Randy and his family these last many months; especially our nurses Dennis Keyes and on-call Stephanie Hryszko, Social Worker Andrew Layne, Chaplain Paul DeLuca, and many supportive staff including Larry Lucas and Pedro Torres. They became our safe harbor as the waves of the storm from Randy’s declining health ebbed and flowed.  

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page and on this obituary page.  The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.

The ward will also be streaming the services using the following link.

https://zoom.us/j/92784153108?pwd=Y2VBT3p6R2ZDVVhLangrSHVPSzRGZz09