Russell Wayne Gardner

January 8, 1953 – October 23, 2013

Russell Wayne Gardner, born January 8, 1953 in Colorado Springs, CO, passed away at his home October 23, 2013, following surgery and a long battle with lung cancer and heart disease.

A journeyman machinist, who learned the trade from his father, Russell worked at Denver

Equipment Co., a division of Joy Manufacturing, and Schneebeck Industries. When his father retired in l992, he took over and ran Gardner Machine Shop His business flourished until he was forced to close the shop in 2011 due to cancer.

Russell was an avid Bronco fan and an outdoorsman who loved to fish and black powder hunt. He was a member of the Colorado Springs Muzzel Loaders, Inc. and looked forward to the annual cannon shoot outside of Florence, Colorado every Memorial Day weekend. He and his friend Jim Dennis made several different size cannons and took many first and second places during these competitions. His interests included politics and he never missed an election. Most recently, he was a passionate fighter for gun owners’ rights.

Russell is survived by his parents, Robert R. and E. Marie (Bevens) Gardner, a brother,

Reggie Brian Gardner and sister Connie Condie of Colorado Springs, and sister Carol Sperlik of Lawrenceville, GA, aunts Lucille Baughman and Myrna Bevens, uncle Grant Bevens and

several cousins, a niece and a 2 nephews.

Visitation will be from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 30th at Swan-Law Funeral Home, 501 N. Cascade Ave. Inurnment will be at the family plot 1:30 p.m., Friday, November 1st at Evergreen Cemetery, followed by a Celebration of Life and reception at 3:00 p.m. at Swan Law Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, 1445 N. Union Blvd. Suite 100, Colorado Springs, CO 80909 or American Heart Association 1586 S. 21st St. Suite 10, Colorado Springs, CO 80905.