James Gardner

James (Jim) Wiley Gardner, 57, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, January 27, 2023. He was born on May 11, 1965, in Dallas, Oregon the son of Kenneth and Mary Lou Gardner and brother to his loving sister, Nancy.
He attended Dallas schools, starting at Bridgeport Elementary School and graduated from Dallas High School in 1984. There he was active in FFA and played varsity football. In younger years, he had 4-H projects, played little league baseball, learned to ice skate and square dancing. He was a member of DeMolay.
Jim was passionate about farming. At age 23 he established his own farm on Smith Road, He resided near the family homestead farm his entire life. He studied agriculture at Chemeketa Community College, Linn Benton Community College, and Oregon State University.
Working with his father, he was an integral part of Gardner Farms and Forests for over 40 years until he retired in 2019 due to his health. He was very proud of his family heritage. Great-great grandfather Samuel came west on the 1843 Oregon Wagon Train. He settled the 1844 Gardner homestead, which has been farmed by 5 successive generations (Samuel - Chester - Wiley - Kenneth - Jim).
He married Vicki Buller in Dallas, Oregon on March 31, 1990. The family lived on his Smith Road farm and raised their three children. He was recognized as Polk County outstanding Young Farmer of the Year. Jim grew strawberries, green beans, and sweet corn as irrigated row crops for Willamette valley canneries. He grew dill, and peppermint for the oil, and pumpkin's, clover, grass crops and sugar beets for the seed. More recently, he grew and marketed quality fresh produce at his two roadside vegetable stands, one at the family farm and the other at Uncle Darrel's on Fir Villa Road.
Jim has served on the Luckiamute Valley Charter School Board since its inception over 25 years ago. He helped with many upgrades and expansion of the Bridgeport and Pedee campuses. He was proud of the work that was accomplished and was looking forward to future school programs. Jim was also serving on the Board of Directors of Consumer's Power, Inc. representing district 9. Jim was a member of Independence Elks Lodge #1950
Jim married Julie Jones on February 6, 2021, at the Falls City Falls. He dearly loved his children and family. He liked fishing at Diamond Lake (or anywhere), waterskiing at Mercer Lake, crabbing at the coast, snow skiing at Hoodoo, swimming and playing pool. Jim was a wonderful cook and barbeque master. He was a very calm and patient teacher, always wanted others to accel. He was just a kind and gentle soul that would do anything to help others. He formed deep and lasting friendships.
He is survived by his wife, Julie, son, Michael, daughters, Madi Gardner, Ellie (Kade) Fast, stepdaughter, Megan and stepsons, Nathan & Tristen, parents, Ken and Mary Lou Gardner, sister, Nancy (Doug) Yancey, grandchildren Evan and Blake, Farrah and Kaia, aunt, Freda Pankratz and uncle, Darrell Chambers, niece, Melanie, nephew, McKenzie and cousins, Larry, Bryan, Ernie, Vicki, Brenda and Barry.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, February 4th at the Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center. Jim was the recipient of many lifesaving units of blood during this illness. As a result, in lieu of flowers Jim has requested you consider donating a unite of blood in a future blood drive to help others. Donations may also be given to any charity of your choice. To leave an online condolence or to share a memory for the family go to www.dallastribute.com Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center is caring for the family.