Elmo Howell Gardner, Jr. – October 14, 2025

Elmo Howell Gardner, Jr., was born on August 15, 1939, in Chicago, Illinois. His family lived in Elmhurst, Illinois, for a while before eventually moving to Monterey, California, for his teenage years. Elmo graduated from Monterey High School and attended Monterey Peninsula Junior College and the University of California at Berkley. He continued his education after enlisting in the United States Air Force. Elmo’s focus was mainly in the sciences but he also took courses in language and music. He received his BA degree in Meteorology from the Univ. of Oklahoma and his MA in Astro Physics from the Univ. of Washington.

Elmo’s first assignment was to Yale University where in 8 months he absorbed the equivalent of 4 years of Mandarin Chinese. During his career of 23 years, Elmo was commissioned an officer, forecasted weather in Japan and Colorado Springs, and was Commander of the Solar Observation at Ramey, Puerto Rico, tracking solar flares. Elmo retired from the USAF in 1986 and immediately took a position with an Aerospace company in Colorado Springs. He finished his career as a bus driver for Lewis Palmer School District, a job he particularly loved.

Elmo enjoyed hunting, camping, skiing, bowling, golf and Muzzle loading/Rendezvousing, but he especially loved his family, wife Carol and four children. Elmo and Carol enjoyed a happy marriage of 62 years and participated in everything together. He was a great father who was involved in both Boy and Girl Scouts and volunteered in their activities when needed. 

Just before retirement, Elmo joined the Shriners and music returned to his life. He started the Shriner Dixielanders and played in the Shriner parades and other events. The Dixielanders were very popular and played at many Assisted Living Homes and Therapy Centers, asking only for donations to the Shriner’s Hospitals.

Elmo was preceded in death by his father, Elmo Sr.; mother, Isabel; and his two brothers, Earl and Todd.  He is survived by his wife, Carol; his sons, Greir (Ashley) and Brent (Sara); daughters, Sheri (Jim) and Dawn (Todd); 11 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Shriner’s Hospital Transportation Fund: PO Box 193, Pueblo, Colorado, 81002-0193. (Both parents and children are transported free to the various hospital locations – hospitalization is free for the children).