Floyd Samuel Gardner

Floyd Samuel Gardner
Our hearts were forever broken on February 14, 2007, as Floyd Samuel Gardner, of Payson, left this life after patiently battling the complications of leukemia and surgery for the past 6 months.
Floyd was born in Payson on June 6, 1946 to Max Adelbert and Erma Taylor Gardner. He grew up working and playing hard on a farm in Salem, UT. He graduated in 1964 from Spanish Fork High School. He served in the National Guard and earned an electronics degree from Trade Tech. He worked in California then returned to Utah to begin a career with MaBell (US West/Qwest). He retired in 2003 with 33 years of a phone to his ear. Since retirement, Floyd has played again at being a cowboy for the Deseret Farm operation in Payson and Elberta.
Floyd met and married his best friend, Leona Kay Clayson, on November 9, 1973. They later sealed their love and eternal devotion to each other in the Salt Lake Temple. They happily added 2 daughters and a son to their familyÑMelanie, Mandi, and Chad.
Floyd was an eager, loving, and devoted father who wanted his family in all his activities including: Riding horses and roping, camping, fishing and hunting, chariot racing, snow-mobiling, 4-wheeling, golfing and building and relaxing at our cabin in Fairview. Floyd was the original Mr. Mom, who never missed his kids' activities and was their #1 fan at the ballpark, church and school. And he currently holds the title of Best Grandpa ever to Emily, Jay, Mercedes, Waylon, Hayden and Dylan.
Floyd was past president of the Cockleburr Riding Club and Spanish Fork Roping Club. He was currently a member of the Santaquin Roping Club, 4 Mile Gun Club, and past member of the Payson Chariot Racing Association and WaHoo Riding Clubs.
For the past 5 years, Floyd has served as the Hillman Field 3rd Branch President, a calling he loved and was devoted to. Floyd was a faithful and dedicated home teacher. His past callings have included ward mission leader, den mother, and High Priest Group Leader.
Floyd leaves behind, for awhile, his loving wife, Leona (Payson), two daughters: Melanie (James) Olsen of Ogden, and Mandi (Travis) Broadhead of Heber, one son: Chad Floyd (Brittney) of American Fork. The grandkids he adored: Emily and Jay Olsen and a new baby girl Olsen due in May, Mercedes and Waylon Broadhead and Hayden and Dylan Gardner. His mother, Erma Gardner of Payson and two sisters: Loie (Winston) Glass, Riverton and Carol (Charlie) Sorenson, Calgary Canada. He was preceded in death by his father Max, his brother Mack, and his grandparents. Also preceding were his friends and in-laws Bud and Grace Clayson. Floyd is also survived by numerous cousins, aunts, uncles and relatives by marriage, who love and will miss him dearly.
A viewing will be held at Walker Mortuary, 587 South 100 West in Payson on Monday, February 19, 20007 from 6-8:00 p.m. Services will be held on Tuesday, February 20 at 11:00 a.m. at the Payson South Stake Center 711 S. 600 E. in Payson, with a viewing between 9:45-10:45 before the services.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Craig Cook for his extraordinary care and devotion to Floyd and our family. Also, many thanks to the nursing staffs that tried so hard to help Floyd recover.
We love you Floyd and can't quite believe we are telling you good-bye for awhile.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.walkerfamilymortuary.com.