Duane Wilson Gardner

Duane Wilson Gardner passed away peacefully on December 16, 2023, in his home in Montrose, Colorado.

Duane was born to parents Jasper and Doris (Patterson) Gardner on July 3, 1934, in Delta, Colorado and spent his childhood there. He attended Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego and then joined the army where he was trained in communications as he traveled the world.

When he returned to Colorado, he continued his career path as a Central Office Tech for Mountain Bell and married the love of his life, Donna, whom he had first met at church in high school.

Duane was an adventurer to his core. He could tell you anything you’d want to know about the mountain peaks of Colorado, and he was intimately familiar with them as he climbed almost 40 different fourteeners. He and Donna explored Hawaii and Europe together, took three of their grandkids on lengthy US road trips, and drove to Alaska. They camped at Arrowhead and wintered in Arizona where they built up a community of dear friends. Duane hunted, fished, love to garden and be outdoors.

He was a member of the Nazarene Church, the Montrose County Sheriff’s Posse, a volunteer for the Colorado Division of Wildlife where he helped monitor and report on the nesting of blue birds for several years; he was a member of the Good Sam’s Club, the UTC – Treasure Club, and the Montrose Car Club.

Duane was a sports enthusiast and never missed a Broncos or Rockies game. He and Donna celebrated their 60^th anniversary with family in a box at the Rockies stadium. He personally loved to bowl, play softball, golf, and ski.

But more than anything else, Duane’s faith in God and love for his family is what set him apart. His sense of humor, charisma and easy manner drew people to him from all walks of life and he will be missed around the world.

Duane is preceded in death by his beloved son Darrell Gardner, parents Jasper and Doris, two brothers Dean and Glen Gardner and in-laws Claude and Helen Witcher.

He is survived by his loving wife Donna, daughter Cindy (Gene Chuchuru) Gardner of Montrose, Son Larry (Lori) Gardner of Tucson, Arizona, daughters in law Diane (Ken) Gardner Juncker of Evansville, Indiana, and Christina Chuchuru, as well as grandkids Christa McMahon, Caitlin and Chandler Gardner, Christian, Corbin, and Carter Chuchuru. One sister Robyne (Ken) Showalter, Spokane Washington and numerous cousins and nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held on Wednesday December 27, 2023, at 10:00 am at The First Church of the Nazarene, 705 S 12^th Street with service provided by Reverend Buddy Cook. Arrangements are being made through Crippin Funeral Home 970-249-2121.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Montrose County Sheriff’s Posse, in Duane’s name.