Obituary of Ron Gardner

In Loving Memory of Ron Gardner

Paul Ronald “Ron” Gardner, of Pima, AZ,  passed away, peacefully, on December 4, 2023 at Ryan House in Phoenix, AZ. 

Ron was born to Paul Newell Gardner and Wille Johnson on February 19, 1934, in Woodruff, AZ.  He spent his early childhood in the White Mountains and Phoenix, AZ.  He graduated from Phoenix Union High School in 1952.   He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Uruguay, Paraguay and Peru.  

He married the love of his life,  Mary Ella McDowell, in the Mesa Temple on July 17, 1959. 

Throughout his life, Ron had many jobs including throwing newspapers, being a car jockey, running a service station, being a custodial supervisor, and owning a hardware store.  He also served those around him as a judge, volunteer firefighter, and EMT.   

Ron was a lifetime member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in many capacities.  

He is survived by his children: Rhonda and Edward Pharis; James and LeeAnn Gardner; Keith and Stephanie Gardner; Becky and Scott Howell; Samuel and Lindsey Gardner; 19 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren; brother, Leroy and Yvonne Gardner; sister, Victoria Reed; honorary family members Valerie and Crae Wilson and Lori and Kenny Clayton; Ron was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ella Gardner; his parents, Paul Newell Gardner and Wille Johnson; and his younger brother, Faye Ivan Gardner.  

The family would like to thank the staff of John C. Lincoln Hospital, Beatitudes Care Center and Hospice of the Valley, Ryan House for the incredible care, kindness and compassion that was extended to our beloved father, Ron, and family.