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John Elmo Gardiner, born June 19, 1937 passed away September 17, 2025 in Alamogordo, New Mexico. Born in Geddes, South Dakota to Elmo and Lena (Geusebroek) Gardiner and grew up in Wood Lake, NE, where he graduated high school in a class of two. He is a life-long member of the Masonic lodge in Ainsworth, NE. He met his soulmate and life partner, Sharon Marie (Ross) Gardiner in Ainsworth, NE and married on July 26, 1957 while stationed at Langley Field, Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX. He was a Flight Engineer for the commanding General and qualified on several types of aircraft. After four years in the Air Force, ne and Sharon moved to Omaha, NE, where they started a family.
The family moved to Scottsbluff, NE where John started his banking career. John and Sharon had 3 children: Doug, Michael, and Lynn. John and Sharon were involved in the community through the Jaycees. After the birth of their third child, they moved to Greely, CO and then to Estes Park, CO where John became the executive vice president at the bank and Sharon started a career in real estate. Another promotion moved the family to Rock Springs, WY. John then accepted another position in Alamogordo, NM in October 1983. After 25 years in banking, John went into the car wash business at the Perfecto Car Wash in Alamogordo. After selling the car wash, he again changed career paths and went into real estate with Sharon. In 2003 they started Welcome Home Reality. John and Sharon loved to travel and went on many trips around the country to visit various places, family (grandbabies), and friends. After 53 years of marriage, Sharon passed away in 2010.
In 2017 John was awarded the Realtor of the Year by the Otero County Realtor Association and was active with the Committee of 50. John was very involved in the community of Alamogordo. He cared deeply about the relationship between Holloman AFB and the city. He was dedicated to the Airmen and was an Honorary Wing Commander. John attended many of the base events and enjoyed supporting the airmen and their mission. He was active in the Desert Lakes Men's Golf Association and was known to be an avid golfer. As much as he loved golf, he loved spending time with his family even more.
He is survived by his sister, Jean and her husband, Ron Pinney (their children Jim and Ronna); his son, Douglas Gardiner and wife, Theresa; son, Michael Gardiner and his wife, Christina; daughter, Lynn Smalstig and her husband, Kevin. John had 4 grandchildren: Megan Bean and her husband, Preston and their sons: Harlan and Weston; Seth Gardiner and his wife, Mellisa; Katie Breckenridge and husband, Ryan and their children: Ford, Finn, Ellery and Barrett; Brandy Parker and her husband, Tanner and their children: Reed, Charlotte and Lyla.
A Celebration of Life Reception will be held at Desert Lakes Golf 19th Hole Restaurant Friday, September 19th at 2pm.
Please make donations to Wood Lake American Legion Post 202, 86534 Ries Drive, Wood Lake, NE 69221.
