Philip T. (Bud) Gardner, Jr.
Philip T. (Bud) Gardner, Jr., a starting guard on the Washington State University football team and later an auto parts executive at Gardner Distributing died of complications of cancer on Saturday, July 17, 2010. He was 78. Mr. Gardner was born on January 18, 1932 in Seattle, Washington. He was raised in West Seattle by parents, Ann and Phil Gardner, Sr and graduated from Seattle Prep in 1950.Growing up, Mr. Gardner enjoyed time on the family boats, the Aida and the Setsu with his brother John K. Gardner and sister, Marilyn Gardner Collins. Playing football at Seattle Prep, Mr. Gardner was an all-state guard. He earned a full scholarship to Washington State University and was a 3 year starter from 1950-1954. After college, Mr. Gardner enlisted in the Army and during the early years of the Cold War was stationed at Ft. Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. Upon returning to Seattle, Mr. Gardner joined his father, Phil Sr. and brother Jack to run the Gardner Distributing Company, an auto parts wholesaler that was founded in 1931. After Phil Sr.’s retirement, Bud and Jack saw great growth in 1970s and 80’s with the expansion of the Alaska Pipeline and local customers. He retired in 2000.Mr. Gardner met his future wife, Gayle Moody after college and they were married on July 10, 1958. They bought their first home in 1959 and made the move to Mercer Island in 1964 where he lived to his last days. Phil and Gayle were married for 50 years until Gayle’s passing in 2008. As an ex-player, Mr. Gardner was an avid football connoisseur. He enjoyed time with his children and grandchildren between homes in Gig Harbor and Mercer Island. A WSU Cougar to the end, Mr. Gardner, wife Gayle and all three children attended WSU.Mr. Gardner is predeceased by his wife Gayle (2008). Survived by children Joann Gardner Lee, Janice Gardner Whiteside and David Gardner and his 8 grandchildren. A celebration of Phil’s life will be at Flintoft’s Funeral Home in Issaquah, WA on Thursday, July 29 at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that remembrances be made to Swedish Medical Center Foundation (Thoracic Surgery Education and Research Fund) 747 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122 or online at www.swedishfoundation.org. Friends are invited to share memories, view photos, and sign the family’s on-line guest book at www.flintofts.com.
