Raymond Gardner Obituary

Dr. Raymond A. Gardner (Lt. Col USAF, Ret), a husband, father, and grandfather, was a soft-spoken, kind, humble and sweet loving man. He always had a sparkle in his eye and enjoyed talking and laughing every day. Ray was born in Geyser, Montana, 8 February 1924 to Frank and Madeline Proper and was raised by David and Minnie Gardner and passed away 22 March 2009. He served our military in the U.S. Army Air Force, 398th Bomb Group (Heavy), 603rd Squadron in England during War World II. He was a waist-gunner and a bombardier on the Boeing B-17 and survived 42 missions over Europe. He was proud to have come from the enlisted ranks serving from 1942 to 1946. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service during the War. After WWII he pursued his college degree at the University of Montana and also played minor league baseball. Using his GI Bill benefits he obtained his doctorate degree in optometry at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. Returning to Great Falls, Montana, he became a member of the Montana Air National Guard in 1957 and was commissioned an officer in the 86th Fighter Squadron. He was called to active duty in 1962 reporting to Edwards Air Force Base, California. Throughout his Air Force career, he served at many bases including the Azores, Portugal, the 1605th Hospital and Commander of the 9th Aero medical Airlift Squadron, Clark AB, Philippines. He retired out of Shepherd AFB, Texas, and the School of Healthcare Sciences in 1979 and moved to Colorado Springs. He was truly honored to have sworn into service his sons, Brett and Kyle, when they began their own military service in the early 1980s. After retirement, he continued his connection to the military by being active in the American Legion in his home state of Montana. He practiced optometry in Billings for several years returning to Colorado Springs in 2002. All of Ray's grandchildren lovingly called him "Pop Pop". He loved to travel with his wife Jocelyn. They met when she was a stewardess in Denver for Western Airlines. He leaves behind his wife Jocelyn, who he shared over 50 loving years; his three sons, Brett, Kyle, and Kelly; his daughter-in-laws Toni, Irma, and Lucinda; and six grandchildren: Laura, Audra, Andrew, Emma, Nicolas, and Sebastian. Ray is also survived by his sisters, Florence Whitfield and Ramona Wareheim (Harold) of Stanford, MT, Nadine Peterson of St. Paul, MN, brothers, Maurice Deverill (Pat) of Billings, MT, and Duane Deverill (Debbe) of San Diego, CA. Preceding him in death was a sister, Madeline Fish and a brother, James Proper along with his mother, Madeline Deverill. He also had several nieces and nephews that he loved. He was loved by so many people and will be terribly missed. A Catholic Mass and memorial service will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Colorado Springs on March 28, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. A reception will be held at the church following the service. A private memorial service will also be held at a scheduled family reunion in August in Billings Montana, where he has many friends and family. A full military burial is scheduled for June 22, 2009 at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Southwest Autism Research Center in Phoenix, AZ or Pikes Peak Hospice in Colorado Springs.