James Keith Gardner

Gardner, James Keith 89 Dec. 25, 1921 Aug. 20, 2011 James Keith Gardner was born Christmas day, 1921, in Mapelton, Utah, to Charles and Genevieve Gardner. He grew up in rural Davis County and graduated from Davis High School in 1939, where he excelled in Speech and Debate and was coached by his father, who was a teacher there. After high school he attended the University of Utah and majored in pre-med. When the United States entered WWII, he left the university and traveled to Portland to work in the shipyards in the war effort. It was there he met the love of his life, Opal Null. After a couple years of courtship, they married Aug. 18, 1944. They were happily married for 67 years. In 1944 while working as a title examiner, James entered Northwestern College of the Law's night law program, graduated and passed the Bar in 1947. He and his bride moved to Hillsboro, where he secured employment as a deputy district attorney. He was active in community activities as a member of the Jaycees and Kiwanis International. In 1952 he was elected Washington County District Attorney and held that position for one term. In 1956 after leaving public office, he opened a law office and practiced law in Hillsboro until he retired in 1997. On the occasion of his last oral argument before the Court of Appeals at age 76, one of the Justices remarked that it was one of the best arguments he had heard. During his years as a lawyer, he was always more interested in helping people and righting wrongs than in creating wealth. One lawyer once described him as the most tenacious lawyer he knew and noted that when he learned James Gardner was on the other side, he would triple his retainer. James and his wife, Opal, raised three sons-Mark, Craig and Rick. As a father, James instilled in his children an unerring sense of right and wrong, a strong work ethic and belief that they could accomplish anything if they tried hard enough. He is survived by his siblings, Max Gardner (Velma), Lillian Garrett and Ida Lu Dewey (Bob); wife of 67 years, Opal; sons, Mark Gardner (Sandra), Craig Gardner and Rick Gardner (Cathy); grandchildren, Kelly Ang (Mike), Matt Gardner, Andy Gardner and Traci Clevenger (Andy); two great-grandchildren; numerous nieces; nephews; and other relatives. A private family remembrance will be held at a later date. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Hillsboro Kiwanis Foundation, Scholarship Program. P.O. Box 311, Hillsboro, OR 97123-0311.