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RAY GARDNER Obituary
Ray was born on August 1, 1952 in Kirkland, Washington.
He graduated from Newport High School in 1970 and received a BA in History and minor in Business from Western Washington University in 1975.
On September 24, 1988 he was united in marriage to Renae Marie Eklund. They celebrated the birth of their daughter, Lesley Marie, on December 7, 1990.
He was employed as a service manager at Martin Commercial Fueling for the past 17 years.
Ray was a member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mount Vernon and a member of the MOPAR Muscle car club..
His wish was to be remembered most as a good father, good husband, lover of old Rock and Roll music and cars, particularly MOPAR.
Ray is survived by his wife of 23 years Renae; daughter, Lesley; sister, Nancy Boone and husband Tom of Carnation; brother, Bob Gardner Jr. of Shelton; and mother Eileen Gardner of Redmond.
He was preceded in death by his father Bob Sr. in 1985.
Memorial Services will held at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2015 E. Blackburn Road, Mount Vernon, WA 98274 on May 14, 2011 at 1:00 PM with a reception afterwards.
Memorials are suggested to First Evangelical Lutheran Church or the American Cancer Society.
Please share your thoughts of Ray and sign the online guest register at www.hawthornefh.com
Arrangements are under the care of Hawthorne Funeral Home, Mount Vernon.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for RAY GARDNER
Cisco Flores
April 28, 2025
The times we had for places. I miss u.
Porfirio-Cisco Flores
August 29, 2020
Think of all the trips to go on Sundays, Portland and Canada. Now, I have no place on trips at all. Your friendship has been missed by me. We covered alot of miles and enjoyed it together. You were gone to damn early if you ask me.
bob lawler
May 14, 2011
Thots of you often and specially today in your great loss. Will be thinking of you as others join you in remembering this great guy, a wonderful husband, father and friend to many as he shared his happy heart to all. His smile and generous spirit remains as a wonderful legacy for his family. Bob and fritzi
Marie
May 14, 2011
I had the pleasure of meeting Ray when I worked at Farmers Ins. He was always so happy and cheerful and he always managed to put a smile on my face. He loved his cars and he loved life. He will be greatly missed by all.
Flora Adams
May 13, 2011
To Ethelyn, Renae, and Lindsey,
So sorry for your loss. I remember attending Renae and Ray's wedding not too long after I started to work at SVC with Ethelyn. Later we were all happy with the birth announcement of Lesley. Over the years I've kept up with your family through Ethelyn. Now, you are all experiencing this hard time together. Thoughts of sympathy and prayers for support are coming your way. Flora Adams
Sharon Morphew (Negri)
May 13, 2011
Dear Gardner Family,
I haven't seen Ray since High School but I considered him a close friend through those years, a very a thoughtful and loving person. It is way to soon for him to leave you and my sincere sympathies are with you. Know always he is with you and guiding you.
Brian Rowland
May 12, 2011
Renae and family, My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. So sorry for your loss as Ray was way to young.
Cynthia Davis
May 12, 2011
Ray,
This is terrible! You are too young to pass away so soon. I am so sad, I am sorry this happened. My sympathy goes out to Renae and Lesley, your siblings and mom. I will be at the memorial and reception. And yes, there are Mopar cars in heaven now that you are there. Good bye sweet cousin.
Cynthia Davis, Matt and Molly
Brian Boyett
May 10, 2011
To the Gardner family we will always remember Ray as a very kind person and his great smile would light up the room.Smiling came natural with ray never forced always free with a kind word. Gave genuine concern if you looked down. We will miss him always.. Brian and Donna Boyett Ballard washington
Suzanne Eklund-Grayum
May 9, 2011
Renae and Lesley, i am so sorry.
Tinja Wyman
May 9, 2011
Ranae,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. You and Leslie are in my thoughts and prayers.
Linda Henson
May 8, 2011
Renae,
I am so sorry to hear about Ray's passing. He was a great man. When I worked at the nursery he was our 'ad' man for the SVH.. and he was always a joy to work with.
Know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers
Victoria Shepherd
May 8, 2011
Renae, Nan let me know today that we have lost Ray and I am thinking of you and Leslie. During my years at the Skagit Valley Herald, Ray always had that smile and up-beat attitude and was a bright light for all of us who had the chance to know him.
Karen and Dean Shellan
May 8, 2011
Dear Ranea & Lesley,
Just want you to know our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
The Shellan Family
Carrie Miller
May 8, 2011
Ray was a wonderful man, so caring and thoughtful. My best memory of Ray was senior year, when he took Lesley, Renae, and I out for ice cream in his fancy fixed up car. He had this big grin on his face when he pulled out a tape and began playing Foxey Lady: he had brought this song in particular because of a Wayne's World joke that we had laughed about 4+ years ago and I couldn't believe he still remembered. He always made me feel welcome and I will miss him greatly. Love to your family in this difficult time.
Mark Johnson
May 8, 2011
Dear Renae,
I met Ray many years ago when we both worked for Mobile Music. We became friends and went golfing several times. He had such a positive outlook on life and a dry sense of humor. He loved his Mopar cars and classic rock. I will miss him!! I saw him several months ago downtown at the station and he still had the same smile and positive outlook. I am so sorry for your loss. Sincerely,
May 6, 2011
Renae & Lesley, We are so sorry for your loss. Ray was a good person, and Cisco enjoyed the many trips they took to go checking out car parts. He will be missed.
Love, Cisco and Sandy Flores
Bruce Longstreth
May 5, 2011
So sorry to hear of you loss.
May 5, 2011
Dear Renae & Lesley, We are very sorry for your loss. We hope you find the peace & comfort you need for the days & months ahead. Love Ray & Brenda Sweeney
Carrie Yelland
May 5, 2011
Nancy,
Thinking of you in your time of grief. Wish I could be there to comfort you as I have been in the past. You and your family will be in my prayers.
Love - Carrie
Liz & Jerry Frenzel
May 5, 2011
Dear Renae & Lesley, We want you to know that even though many miles seperate us our thoughts are with you at this sad time. May knowing that your extened family in Minnesota is keeping you close in thought and prayer bring some small measure of comfort your way. Sending you both our heartfelt sympathy and love as you mourn the death of Ray.
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Hawthorne Funeral Home - Mount Vernon1825 E. College Way PO Box 398, Mount Vernon, WA 98273
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