Steven Robert Gardner (Steve) went home to be with the Lord on February 19th, 2018, in Spokane, WA.

Steve was born in Portland, OR on October 21st, 1958 to parents William Howard Gardner and Eunice Viola Gustafson. He grew up in Forest Grove, OR, attending school at Central Elementary, Neil Armstrong Junior High, and Forest Grove High School. Steve was involved in baseball, football, band, drama, and choir. He attended Oregon College of Education, now Western Oregon University, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. Steve later received his Master’s Degree in Education from Grand Canyon University. He married Michelle Martin shortly after college, in 1982, and they lived together in Beaverton and Forest Grove, OR.

He took his first teaching job at Witch Hazel Elementary and taught there until 1986, when he took a yearlong teaching position at a missionary school, Ivory Coast Academy, in Ivory Coast, Africa. This began a love of missions, and he later taught at Morrison Academy in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, while serving with Conservative Baptist International. Steve and Michelle loved having their Taiwanese friends and neighbors in their home, and Steve had a significant impact on the Kaohsiung community during their years in Taiwan. He had close connections with the Kaohsiung City Police Department and served as administrative pastor of Kaohsiung International Church, and also took on the role of director of Puli Bible Camp for the summer of 1993.

While living in Taiwan, Steve became aware of the thousands of girls abandoned in mainland China due to the former One Child Policy, and he and Michelle adopted a little girl in 1995.  This began a desire to provide a home for orphaned children, and eventually Steve was the father of twelve children - three by birth and nine by adoption.

After returning from the mission field in 1998, Steve taught for two years at Bonney Lake Elementary in Bonney Lake, WA, before accepting a position as children's pastor at Fourth Memorial Church in Spokane, WA. He served in this role for four years, starting a children's club called The Challenge at the church, and heading up the school supply ministry that blessed countless children at Logan Elementary in Spokane District 81. But his true love was teaching young students, and he returned to the classroom in 2007, teaching at Evergreen Elementary in the Mead School District. This particular elementary school and school district were very dear to Steve's heart, and he continued teaching at Evergreen up until just days before his passing.

Steve's true passion in life was teaching. He was both fun and innovative in the classroom, and went to great lengths to ensure that his students were able to grasp the concepts he was teaching. With a teaching career spanning 35 years, Steve touched the lives of countless students and coworkers.

Outside of the classroom, Steve had several interests. These included making candles to give as gifts, performing magic tricks, and participating in plays. During the summers, he worked for the Spokane Indians baseball club as a section leader for eight years, and served on the Rapid Response Team at Spokane Hoopfest for many years.

Steve is survived by his wife Michelle, twelve children, nine grandchildren, his mother Eunice, two brothers and two sisters, fourteen nieces and nephews, and countless friends.

There will be a memorial service in Steve's honor on Saturday, March 24th, 2018, at Life Center Church (1202 W. Government Way, Spokane, WA 99224) in the Multi-Purpose Room. The service will start at 11 am and will include a eulogy, hymn, a brief open-mic opportunity (please come prepared if you have a memory to share), a slideshow, and gospel message. The service will conclude with light refreshments.

Donations in Steve's name may be made to www.openheartmagic.com.

 Service Information