Clyde E. Gardner, age 87, a long time Everett resident, passed away on Tuesday October 2, 2012.
Born in the tiny town of Delia, Kansas, Clyde was the youngest of 9 children. His youth was spent working long, hard days on the family farm tending cattle, horses and acres of crops.
He spent 10 years on the Naval aircraft tender “Orca”, with tours to Guam and the Philippines. While stationed in Tacoma, Clyde met Nadean Nattrass, who spent the next 60 years as his wife and mother of his children, Roxanne and Kenneth.
Clyde then worked for Beneficial Life Insurance, Sears and Nord Door Co., settling on a career as a machine adjustor with Scott Paper Co.
Being good with his hands, Clyde tackled time consuming projects like, planting large gardens and nursing seedlings as newborns, residing & painting his home with his 4th grader as apprentice, restoring a mangled bicycle with only a hammer and a vice, making secret Mothers’ Day gifts and teaching his kids the joy of creating.
With Nadean by his side, Clyde enjoyed camping with his family, bonfires, clam digging, fishing, beach combing, dancing, driving trips and repairing things. He believed in his faith and was a dedicated Christian man.
After retiring, he was a senior volunteer with the Everett Police Department, Senior Services, RSVP, the Boeing Bluebills, Old Time & Country Music Association and the Visitor Information Center.
In the end, Alzheimer’s altered his reality but not his sweetness. He continued to express love to his family and especially to his wife. He stated many times that he’d had a good life with good people in it. So, if you were one of his friends, thank you for adding enjoyment to his life.
Clyde is survived by his wife, Nadean Gardner; children, Roxanne (Joe) Herbert; Kenneth Gardner (former wife Marie); grandchildren, Brandon & Nicole Gardner; Brielle (Dan) Weed & Spencer Herbert: Great-grandchild Surae Gardner. He is preceded in death by his parents; and eight siblings.
A memorial will be held at a later date. He will be inurned at Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, Washington. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.
