Jeffery Ralph Gardner

Jeffery R. Gardner, 63, of Newport Beach, California, a successful corporate leader and dedicated family man who had a deep love for running and cycling, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, August 27, 2023.

Jeff leaves behind a heartbroken but adoring family, including his wife, Christine (Rogala), sons Blake, Broderick, and Brock, as well as countless loved ones, friends, and colleagues from across the country. Jeff will be dearly missed by his father, Ralph, sister, Kimberly, and brothers, Eric and Jason. He also leaves behind nephews Harrison, Benjamin, and Jacob, and many other extended family members. He was preceded in death by his late mother, Joan, and brother, Thomas.

Jeff was born in Hammond, Indiana, the son of Ralph and Joan (Wilson). He grew up in Hammond and attended Morton Senior High School, where he excelled in Track and Field. He later pursued his education at Loras College in Iowa before transferring to Purdue University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. He went on to complete his MBA at the College of William and Mary in 1997 and obtained his certification in Public Accounting.

Jeff dedicated his professional career primarily to the telecommunications and technology industries. Over nearly four decades, he held various financial, operational, and executive roles, including serving as President and Chief Executive Officer at multiple publicly traded organizations, namely Windstream Corporation, Brinks Home Security, and CalAmp. His career commenced in 1983 at Walgreens in corporate audit, followed by positions at Centel Communications (later Sprint, then 360 Communications), where he held multiple executive roles, including Vice President and General Manager of the Las Vegas market, Regional President of the Mid-Atlantic Region, and Senior Vice President of Finance. In 1998, Alltel Corporation acquired 360 Communications, promoting Jeff to the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Years later, Verizon acquired Alltel's wireless division, spinning off the wireline and broadband divisions into Windstream Corporation, where Jeff served as the first President and Chief Executive Officer from 2006 until 2015. He subsequently led Brinks Home Security from 2015 to 2020 and served as President and Chief Executive Officer of CalAmp from 2020 onwards. Additionally, Jeff served as an Independent Director on the Board of RF Micro Devices, Inc. from 2004 to 2015 and Qorvo, Inc. since 2015.

Beyond his career, Jeff was an enthusiastic athlete with a passion for marathons, cycling, golf, boating, and fishing. His love for running began during the sport's rise to popularity, inspired by legends such as Bill Rogers and Steve Prefontaine, both of whom he considered personal heroes. Jeff's running accomplishments spanned from high school to college and beyond. He made his mark in his first national collegiate event at the Drake Relays Marathon, finishing 15th with a time of 2 hours and 37 minutes. Later in life, Jeff completed over 20 marathons, including five Boston Marathons, cherishing the camaraderie and friendships he developed through running. His passion for cycling took him on adventures across state lines, alongside his dedication to his work and marathons.

Jeff was also a fervent supporter of his beloved Chicago Bears, Cubs, Bulls, and Hawks, as well as his cherished UGA Dawgs and UVA Hoos. He was a dedicated soccer fan, traveling with his family both domestically and internationally to cheer for the US in the World Cup.

However, Jeff's most treasured role was within the walls of his home with his family, always his top priority. He shared a deep love for soccer with his three sons and actively supported their passion for the sport throughout their youth. His favorite moments were spent bringing his family together at home and on the waters of Lake Hamilton, and more recently, Newport Beach. Over the years, he often found solace in visiting St. John with family and close friends, considering it a place where he could truly relax. What set Jeff apart was his boundless generosity. Many considered him a best friend, and to those less fortunate, he was a pillar of support. He consistently gave to strangers and supported worthy causes, spanning from the arts to education and helping the underserved.

In remembering Jeff, we reflect on a man who approached every aspect of life with unmatched enthusiasm. Jeff's life embodied the essence of his personal hero, Prefontaine, who famously said, "To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift." Let us honor Jeff's memory by embracing his own life philosophy: "Make it a Great Day." Farewell, our dear friend, and may we all strive to live by his inspiring mantra. Cheers.