Gardner, Michael Michael Walter Gardner, passed away Monday, July 11, 2005 at his residence. To honor Michael’s request, there will be no memorial service for him. Michael was born May 30, 1952 to Walter and Maxine Gardner in Mobile, Alabama. He was raised and educated in Mineral Wells, Texas until he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1973. Tours of duty allowed him to travel throughout the world amassing over 5000 flight hours as a crew member aboard the P-3 Orion. His many duty stations included VQ2 Rota, Spain, VPU-1 NAS Brunswick, Maine and other associated duty stations. After 23 years of honorable service, Michael retired from active duty in 1996 as an Aviation Electronic Technician Chief Petty Officer. Michael and Debra moved to Texas in 1999 due to his employment with Raytheon/L-3 Communications and resided in Waco until his death. He loved the outdoors, skeet shooting, hunting and working on cars. He kept a lively interest in many different projects and lived his life passionately. He is survived by his wife, Debra Gardner of 28 years; son, Chris Brown and wife Holly; granddaughter, Baylee Brown all of West Linn, Oregon; parents, Walter Gardner of Fort Mitchell, Alabama and Maxine Gardner of Augusta Georgia; aunt, Crystal Young of Augusta, Georgia; brothers and sisters-in-law, Carol and Steve Stancliff of John Day, Oregon, Boots and Wes Droz of Gladstone, Oregon and father-in-law, David Brown of Molalla, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the U.S. Navy Relief Fund. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey
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