James Ryan Gardner

It is with very heavy hearts that we announce the passing of James (Ryan) Gardner on February 12, 2026 in the early morning hour, at home, as he was watched over by his family listening to his favorite songs. He silently fought his addiction for many years and sadly succumbed.

Ryan grew up in Teton, Idaho and Daniels, Utah. He loved growing up in the mountains; fishing, camping, exploring, dirt biking, boating, cars, trucks, and priceless memories made with his family, grandparents on the farms and his friends.

Ryan graduated from Wasatch High School in 1982. He then met and married Tracey Sabey in 1984. They had two awesome sons and enjoyed hunting, camping in the old ‘burb’ and many fun cookouts with family and friends. They later divorced but remained friends.

He found a lifelong career at Snowflower Condo’s in Park City where he worked for over 35 years in the maintenance department. He truly loved his Snowflower family. So many incredible memories made there. Ryan could construct, fix, repair and put anything together. He was a truly talented engineer.

In 1996 the universe brought Ryan and Loni together for 30 years until his passing. They had countless adventures through their journey together, side by side with their combined family, rarely ever apart. He always had dinner for her when she got home from work and always thought of the little things to do for her that she truly cherished.

Ryan always enjoyed spending time with his family, his big boy toys, working on things around the house, cooking, good food (Pie Pizzeria), card games, a decent (Denver Bronco) football season, awesome music, fishing off the boat, spending the night on the boat, his tv shows (Gunsmoke, Family Feud) and a good road trip to his favorite places.

Ryan has left a lasting impact with countless memories. His hard work, spirit, stubbornness, smile, persistence and love will live on every time we look around and get a glimpse of so many things he did and loved to do. The stories will be endless.

We would like to thank Quality Home Care (Elsie and Shauna), Jeanette Vernon, Walker’s Mortuary and the NS Firefighters for their incredible care of Ryan. You are true angels.

Ryan is survived by-his wife Loni Freeman; his boys Tyrell (Shelly) Gardner and Joshua (Elexa) Gardner; daughters Nicole Osmond and Tasma Brierley; his mother Kim Wahrenbrock; sisters Traci Carelly and Vicki (Steve) Taylor; brother Lanny Gardner; grandkids Jessie Gardner, Ivan Rosiles, Zeke (Alaska) Brierley; Ashlynn Brierley; Caelen and Aiden Gardner; Kaiah and Kirra Sargent; Great Grandson Andy Brierley; sister-in-law Nolie Freeman; nephews, numerous friends and acquaintances.

Preceded in death by; his father James Francis Gardner; Stepfather Dean Wahrebrock; father-in-law Roy Freeman; Grandparents Floyd and Thelma Gardner, William and Enid Hunter; son-in-law Michael Brierley; four-legged family including his black lab Boy Boy.

Out of the corner of my watering eye, a dream unthreatened by the morning light could blow this soul right through the roof of the night.

-Pink Floyd, Learning to Fly

The memories of a man in his old age, are the deeds of a man in his prime.

-Pink Floyd, Free Four