Marvin Gardner

Marvin Kelly Gardner
6/24/1923 – 0/18/2012

Marvin Kelly Gardner passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 18, 2012. He was an extraordinary man, intensely grateful for the goodness of life. His indomitable optimism permeated his life and lifted the hearts of the people around him.

Kelly was born on June 24th, 1923, to Ida May Adams Kelly and Thomas Albert Gardner, the youngest of four children, in the small ranching town of Myton, Utah. After Kelly’s father was killed in a flash flood when he was four years old, the family struggled through the depression and moved from the ranch into town and then from Myton to Provo. He attended Provo High School and was active in most everything, including sports, student government, Boys State and journalism. He and his “big brother” Glen did almost everything together. Kelly was adventurous and tried “most everything that was legal and moral.” Skiing was a special passion and he was a fearless expert.

Kelly began early working hard on the ranch to help support his family and displayed a remarkable work ethic all his life. From the time he was a young boy, he always had several jobs at once, from selling ” milk nickels” from his “little red wagon” to delivering gas for Utah Oil. Later he would work at various financial institutions including Walker Bank, Zions Savings and Loan, and finally twenty-five years as a loan officer with American Savings and Loan. As a banker, he loved helping people realize their dreams.

Scouting played a significant role in Kelly’s life. His scout master was a dedicated and much-loved father figure and his troop was a powerful influence for good. He was awarded his Eagle and five Palms while in high school, served as scout master three times, and was ultimately given the Silver Beaver Award.

At the age of seventeen, he took flying lessons, fell in love with the thrill of flying, and obtained a commercial pilot’s license. Two years later, after entering “the BY,” he enlisted in the US Army Air Force and was commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant. He was a WWII pilot in the Combat Cargo Command, flying C-46 planes over the Himalaya Mountains and dropping supplies to Allied forces in Laos, Thailand and southern Burma. In a night flight over “the Hump,” his plane crashed in a violent thunder storm, resulting in injuries exacting a lifetime of sacrifice for the country he loved.

Before going overseas, Kelly met and instantly fell in love with his sweetheart, Olivia Bae Bishop and they were engaged. When he returned from the war, they married in the Salt Lake Temple, worked through difficult rehabilitation, and began their lives together in Salt Lake City. There they built the home they loved and raised their three children, who were always the center of their lives.

Kelly was a valiant and devoted member of the LDS Church. He loved the Gospel of Jesus Christ and his life exemplified the teachings of his Savior. He gladly served in many positions, including ward clerk, ward mission leader, and passionately dedicated scout master.

Preceded in death by his wife Bae, his parents, sister Thelma (Morris) Buckwalter, and sister Fern (Roscoe) Turner. Survived by brother Glen, son Alan (Robyn) Gardner; daughters Dawn (David) Curtis and Anne Gardner; seven grandsons-Benjamin (Michelle) Curtis, Alexander and Samuel Curtis, Kelly Jay (Jenni) Gardner, Bryan, Hayden and Bradley Gardner; and four perfect great-grand children.

“This is our good day!”

Funeral services will be held Monday, September 24th at 12:00 pm at Foothill 7th Ward, 2210 East Roosevelt Ave. (1445 South). There will be a viewing from 11:00 to 11:45 at the ward prior to services. Burial will follow in Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 South Highland Drive. Online guestbook available at www.russonmortuary.com