John Whorton Gardner, Jr.

John Whorton Gardner, Jr. went home to be with the Lord and his loving wife on April 5, 2019. John was born in Wichita, Kansas on March 29, 1943 to John W. Gardner Sr. And Margot Katz Gardner. He grew up in Casper, Wyoming, the oldest of four siblings. He served his country from 1957 to 1961 in the United States Navy. Here he discovered his love for the sport of boxing and even became a lightweight golden glove boxer. Sometime after his discharge, John met Shirley Kaye Varilek at a dance in Casper. The couple was married on November 14, 1969. He began college at Northwest Community College from 1968 to 1969, where he studied graphic art and photography. He worked for a newspaper and as a surveyor for a time. Later he was employed for Reda Pump Well Service, where he was employed for several years. John worked hard to provide for his wife and five children throughout his life. He later retired from BHE at 65 years old. John was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was sealed to his wife Shirley on August 24, 1996 in the Idaho Falls Temple. John and Shirley were very active in their church. John was very involved in the lives of his grandchildren lending a major hand in their upbringing. He was a talented artist and photographer. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, camping, horse-back riding, nature watching and gardening. He passed many of his skills on to his children and grandchildren instilling a deep respect for nature and the outdoors in each of them. John loved his family and was in turn loved very much by them. He will be dearly missed by his friends and family. John was proceeded in death by his wife Shirley Gardner, late wife Patsy Gardner, parents, son, William Terrence McCann and brother, Terry Gardner. John is survived by his children Calvin McCann, Pamela Snyder (Greg Scott), Mur-Ray (Mirielle) Nitchman (Ray Nitchman), Jodie Nading (Kenneth Nading) several grandchildren and great-grandchildren and two siblings Keith Gardner and Christine Gardner. Graveside services will be held 11:00 AM, Friday, April 12, 2019 at Riverside Cemetery in Thermopolis, Wyoming. Military Honors will follow the graveside services.