Ivan Leonard Gardner

Ivan Leonard Gardner passed away peacefully on October 19, 2024, at home. He was born January 9, 1938, to Ivan Lee Gardner and Juanita Vera Sprinkles in Tucumcari, New Mexico. His mother passed away when he was 2 years old leaving his grandparents to raise him on their farm in Tucumcari. Leonard married Carol Lee Leavitt (later divorced), and they raised 4 children together. He later married Jeanne Marie Hendrix. He went to work as a steel fabricator at Eimco at the age of 18 where he remained until his retirement. He loved to work with his hands. He built two dune buggies from the ground up and the family spent many years in them, with the wind in their hair screaming across the sand dunes or dragging State Street. He had an array of talents, and his family cherishes the many treasures he made for them from steel, wood, leather, pen, and ink.

Our father was 10 feet tall and bulletproof. He had the heart of a lion and the soul of a teddy bear. No matter what happened in the world, we felt safe under his protective care. His mind could solve any puzzle and fix every problem. His hands were rough from an unwavering work ethic, but his touch was gentle, and his humor sparkled behind blue eyes.

Life was done as a family. We gathered at the dinner table every night, thanked God for our blessings, and shut out the rest of the world to share the evening meal. There were baseball games, sled rides, Kentucky Fried Chicken in the park, hunting in the mountains, summer vacations, and endless other activities. He once said, "If my children can't be there, why would I want to be?". His later years were spent dancing with his beloved Jeanne and indulging her every whim. He was heartbroken when she passed away.

He was a quiet man but his greatness shouts in our hearts. We will miss him dearly.

Leonard was preceded in death by his sweetheart Jeanne, his parents, and his siblings JW, Charles, Vera, Brenda, and Beth. He is survived by his children Trish (Steve), Jeff (Cheryl), Sande, and Brian, as well as his sisters Shirley and Gail, along with numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.