Gardner

On May 14, 2024, our beloved Donald Joel Adam Gardner passed away in his home of diabetes-related end-stage liver disease. He was 42 years old. Donny’s death came as a surprise to those who loved and cared for him.

Born in Spokane on Sept. 22, 1981, Donny lived in Newport, Washington, for several years where he attended school and was a member of the high school’s wrestling team. Following his graduation in 2000, he enlisted with the U.S. Navy where he would spend the next six years in service of his country as an E4/Communications Technician. Service medals and commendations include the National Defense Service Medal, three Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Navy “E” Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, two Navy Unit Commendations, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and a Flag Letter of Commendation. After being honorably discharged from the Navy in 2006, Donny attended Spokane Falls Community College where he earned his A.A. and then went on to study business management at Eastern Washington University.

Donny lived an eclectic life, with various interests, hobbies, and life experiences. He was a lover of pugs, anime (especially Dragon Ball Z), and enjoyed collecting X-Men comics and trading cards. He also enjoyed camping, fishing, painting, and rock hunting. He was preceded in death by his older sister Jeannie Gardner (2016) and his father Eugene Gardner(2019). Donny is survived by his son Rowan Gardner, Donna and William Lands (mother and stepfather), Paige Gardner (stepmother), Billie Rae and Robert Lambeth (sister and brother-in-law), Jessica and Daniel Moorman (sister and brotherin- law), Benjamin Lands (brother), Blake Gray(stepbrother), Matt Gray(step brother), Arista and Lee Strait(stepsister and brother-in-law). He is also survived by several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. End of life services will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery on June 28, 2024, at 2 p.m. with a reception to follow immediately afterwards. Donny’s family kindly requests that, in lieu of flowers, anyone interested in making a charitable donation in his name to please direct it to one of two non-profit organizations, both of which held a personal significance for Donny – the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV).

We all love and miss you dearly, Donny Jo. Be at peace.