AURORA, Colo. – Marvin Leroy Gardner, 87, passed away Dec. 23, 2017, with his family by his side. A celebration of life service was Thursday, Dec. 28, with Pastor Corbin Tobey-Davis officiating at Parkview Congregational Church in Aurora. Graveside service will at 2 p.m. today, Friday, Dec. 29, at Valley View Cemetery in Torrington, with Pastor Craig Cagle officiating.
Marvin was born June 16, 1930, in Bloomington, Neb., to Paul Alfred and Lora Hazel (Archibald) Gardner. The Gardner family moved to Goshen County in April 2935 to farm.
Marvin graduated from Yoder High School in 1949. His high school days included participation on the basketball team and driving the school bus. He and his first wife Joan (Helzer) were high school sweethearts and the two exchanged vows at the First United Church of Christ in Torrington in July 1951.
Marvin was inducted into the Army on March 7, 1951, and served during the Korean War with the 15th Signal Unit. He was discharged on Nov. 12, 1952, and returned to Goshen County to help farm his parent’s land. He and Joan continued to farm until the spring of 1958 when the family moved to Torrington.
Marvin worked for various companies between 1958 and 1968 including a Chevron Service station, Eaton’s Implement and Hardware and the Co-op. He started electronics school in Denver in 1968. After completing classes at the Electronics Technical Institute, he owned and operated a TV repair shop in Torrington and eventually decided to sell the business and moved to Aurora in 1972. Marvin retired in 1991 after many years of dedication to Central TV and a short stint with United Cable.
After Joan’s passing in 2002, Marvin married his golden sweetheart, Judy Forward, on Sept. 16, 2005, at Parkview Congregational United Church of Christ. Since 2005, Judy and Marvin have traveled, traveled and traveled some more. There were countless road-trips and Judy introduced Marvin to the wonderful world of cruising. Marvin was hooked after an Alaskan cruise. In fact, they just returned from their ninth cruise, an Eastern Caribbean cruise, at the end of November. Marvin and Judy’s enthusiasm for life and love of travel were a blessing – they were meant to be together these last 12 years.
Marvin is survived by his wife Judy; daughters Norma (Dan) Mai, Bonnie (Randy) Furler, Mary (Eric) Crow; son Ron (Danette) Gardner; step-sons Gary Hilton and Glen Hilton (Michael Remson); step-daughter Gaylene (Dannie) Tancrede; 13 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be sent to Parkview Congregational Church, 12444 E Parkview Drive, Aurora, CO 80011.
Arrangements in Aurora are under the direction of Horan & McConaty and condolences may be noted at http://www.horancares.com/obituary. Arrangements in Torrington are under the direction of Colyer Funeral Home.
