Paul Leroy "Sonny" Gardner Jr.

PAUL LeROY “SONNY BOY” GARDNER JR. Funeral services for Dove Creek resident, Paul LeRoy Gardner Jr. “Sonny Boy” will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, September 18 at the Dove Creek First Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Dove Creek Cemetery. Sonny was born December 17, 1955 to Paul LeRoy Gardner Sr. and Juanita Delaphine Gardner in Moab, Utah. Sonny, as he was known to his family, Paul is what most of his friends called him, passed away from this life on the morning of September 13, 2009 at the Mancos Valley Inn where he had been recuperating since leaving the hospital recently. Sonny had many interest in life and found great joy in spending time with family and friends. He spent time in the Marine Corp. and upon discharge spent some time in the uranium mines. He loved to hunt and fish when his health would permit. In later years he found a lot of joy in woodworking. He love to work with his hands and you could hand him anything electric and he would figure it out. He spent a lot of time alone, loving a good movie and was especially fond of the old westerns and comedy. He lost two of his best friends, Enya and Sable; his dogs were his solace. He missed them both very much. He always called them his girls. They were loyal when the times were tough, never asked for money or took advantage of his health. The last few years were especially tough on Sonny, his health failed and he was in the hospital numerous times fighting for his life, and a fighter he was. There were times when we just thought it was over for him and he would turn that corner that always brought him back to us. We had precious time with him, some joyous and some not so joyous but through it all we always loved him and he loved us. We will miss him greatly; his passing has left a great big hole in our hearts and our lives. The circle of life has been broken but he joins those that have passed on before him and will await us some day, our father, Paul LeRoy Gardner Sr.; grandmother, Mildred Gardner; Aunt Marg; and our beloved father and best friend, L.T. Waterland, DAD. There have been many other family members leave this world before him, too many to recount here. We’re happy to know that they all awaited him with open arms. Sonny is survived by his grandmother, Juanita Knapp “Blondie”; his mother, Delaphine Waterland; his siblings, Joyce Barnett and husband, Frank, Diane Brown and husband, Rick, Harley Gardner and wife, Denise, and his youngest sister, Valerie Sharp and husband, Larry; many, many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and one great great nephew. He also has a host of cousins to mourn his passing. There are no words to express our sorrow at his passing but knowing that we have friends and family that care so much has been a great help. We will miss his little flagship, his wheelchair with the American flag on it around town. He had a quick wit and a ready smile. We’ll miss you BRO. God bless and take care of you, until we meet again. Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Paul LeRoy “Sonny” Gardner with the Dove Creek Ambulance Fund.