Rodney Verl Gardner

Rodney Verl Gardner passed away on July 26, 2025, in Salem, Utah of natural causes. Rod was born in Payson, Utah, on December 22, 1955, the first of 5 children of Verl Samuel and Louise Swain Gardner. As a child, Rod had many responsibilities on the family farm, and as the family grew, he helped construct the new family home in his teen years. He worked locally in the fruit orchards during the summer. He had a natural talent for all things computing. He helped set up the first computer labs at Spanish Fork High School, where he graduated in 1974. 

Rod was an engaged student, participating in football and soccer, and multiple bands where he played the trumpet. He also had a passion for playing the guitar, even making his own amplifier. He would also meet his future wife in the band. He later attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He married Trina Lorraine Hunsaker in 1976. Rod graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1979. While at BYU, he was also a member of the Air Force ROTC program and commissioned as a Lieutenant upon graduation.

Rod and Trina had their first child, Janae, in August of 1978, and later moved to their first Air Force Duty Station in Biloxi, Mississippi. Their son, Glen, was born in 1980 at their next duty station, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. Over the next 15 years, he held various positions of responsibility in the Air Force, serving in many states and overseas during his career, including during the first Gulf War. He honorably retired as a Major in 1995.

After returning to Utah, Rod transitioned to civilian life as an Information Technology Professional. He also returned to many hobbies he had loved before his service, including camping, hunting, and fishing. He was quick to accept an invitation to camp with family and could spend entire days scouring Topaz Mountain seeking the semiprecious crystals. He would repair mechanical things of all types- cars, tractors, electronics, and many other things, a hobby that he passed on to his son and continued until the day he passed away. He was quick to lend a hand, especially for his family. He was eager to attend any function for the grandkids as long as he knew when and where to be.

He was married to Trina for 38 years until her passing in 2014. In 2016, he moved to California to be with his last partner, Terry Rodgers. He was a valuable asset to her in her real estate business and civic engagements, and they would travel many places together before her passing in 2022. He again returned home to Utah in 2022, where he had many adventures in the last few years. He loved his public spaces and collected books on the natural world and the history of Utah. He was quick to share an anecdote of his recent perils with anyone who would listen. He remained proud of his military service to the end.

Rod was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. He is survived by his daughter Janae (Tony) Gonzalez, his son Glen (Kelsey) Gardner, and his siblings Jeanette (Orin) Farnsworth, Claudia Gardner, Lucille (Quinn) Wagstaff, and Jeff (Kim) Gardner; and his grandchildren, Aubrey Gonzalez, Benjamin Gonzalez, Edward Gardner, Porter Gardner, Michael Lubben, Daisy Lubben, Shirley Lubben, and Andrew Lubben.

Rod is preceded in death by his parents Verl and Louise, stepfather Douglas Henrie, wife Trina Gardner, and partner Terry Rodgers.

We would like to thank the Salem Police Department for their prompt and professional response and Legacy Funeral Home of Spanish Fork for the care and services in preparation for the funeral.

A viewing will be held at the Salem Heights Ward, 60 S Main Street in Salem, UT, at 9:45 am-10:45 am on Friday August 1, 2025 with a funeral following at 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. Graveside services will be at the Salem City Cemetery following the funeral

To leave condolences, visit www.legacyfunerals.com