George Gardner

Alaska resident George Gardner, 49, died Aug. 1, 2012, at Providence Regional Medical Center in Anchorage due to complications from cancer-related surgery. He was diagnosed with colon cancer in January 2012.

A public celebration of life is from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Aug. 18 at the Big M Memorial in Wasilla at the Mug-Shot Saloon. The family is continuing its effort to raise money to pay for medical bills. The family asks that instead of flowers, donations be made to the “Big M” or deposited into Wells Fargo account No. 3754991937.

George was born to Leonard “Tiny” and Annette Gardner on April 13, 1963, in Anchorage. George was married to Mona in May 1984 and they quickly turned their family of two into a family of six.

When his dad “Tiny” died in 1994, George and his siblings took over the family business and worked hard to continue the success their father had started. George was a hard worker and rarely called in sick, even when later on in life he was going through chemo.

In 2007, George became a grandfather to a beautiful baby girl, Taylor. He loved her with everything that he was. His face would light up when she came into the room. He was her “Super Papa” and she will always be his “Super Taylor.”

His friends and family will always remember what a kind and generous man he was. He was always there for his loved ones with words of advice, encouragement and a sense of humor when needed. He had a quick smile and a witty personality. He could make you laugh even when you wanted to cry. He will be deeply missed by all those who knew him.

Surviving are his beautiful wife, Mona; children, Amber, Stephanie and her husband Jon Smith, Samantha, and Calvin and fiancée Dannie Caswell; brothers, James, Sam, Robert and Ben; sister, Margie; granddaughter, Taylor; and many loving nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Leonard and Annette.