John C. ""Jack"" Gardner

John C. ""Jack"" Gardner, 27, cherished brother, son, nephew and friend, left us too early on May 4, 2019. He was from Aurora, Colorado but resided for a time in Dillon, Colorado.

Jack was born August 20, 1991 in Cheyenne, Wyoming to Peter S. and Ann Gillgannon Gardner. He was the third of four boys born into this loving family. Jack is a graduate of Smoky Hill High School and Colorado Mountain College, receiving an Associate of Arts Degree.

Jack was full of immense talent. He was a rapper, and hip-hop was his muse. Jack loved to write rhymes and express his uniquely funny yet profound view of the world. Jack had an encyclopedic knowledge of hip-hop, and it was truly incredible to ride around in a car or go to a show with him and hear him spout every verse of every song, from Tupac to J. Cole and everything in-between. His love of hip-hop also inspired him through his following passions:

Snowboarding in the Rocky Mountains, where his style was carefree. He feared nothing and rode everything. While this resulted in many surgeries and a bionic body, it was always worth the challenge for the thrill and the make.

Sports, his first love. He played baseball throughout his youth and was an exceptional athlete at anything he tried. He was also a die-hard sports fan; his shouts at every sack, touchdown, and win of his Denver Broncos (especially the three Super Bowls and any defeat of his nemesis, Philip Rivers) were louder than any on the planet, and John Elway would be proud of how well he wore his beloved number 7 jersey.

Skateboarding, art, and outdoor adventures such as hiking, hunting, and fishing also allowed him to express his beautiful soul. Jack traveled the country on a number of trips in order to experience his love of nature, and those who accompanied him on his travels know how much he loved being out in the world.

Jack also worked as an educator with elementary aged students and would do anything to make them smile. Students knew he cared for each and every one of them, and if there was a body of water and an audience of kids he would launch ten feet in the air and land flat on his belly.

What was most important to Jack was sharing his experience of what he loved with his family and friends, and his smile was brightest and voice loudest in those moments. He was a thrilling storyteller, and you would be sure to hear about his adventures if you couldn't be there with him.

Jack is survived by his parents, Peter and Ann; brothers, Paul, Joe and David; sister-in-law Catherine Loukakis; grandmother Mary Shoup Gardner; aunt and uncle Peggy (Gillgannon) & Mark Burr and their children Anthony & Sato, Anna, Sarah & Monte, Stephen (Biff), Cecilia; and their grandchildren Asahi and Monte Jr.; uncle and godfather, Michael Gillgannon & partner Jackie and Michael's children Dan & Leah, and grandchildren Liam, Owen, Aiden, Addy, and Ryan; uncle and aunt Pat & Mary Gilgannon and their children Moira and Thomas & Rachel; aunt Kathy Gillgannon and partner Val; uncle Danny & partner Renee and his daughter, Allison; aunt Beth Gardner; aunt & uncle Liz (Gardner) & Eric Hager and their children Kit and Sarah; aunt Mary (Gillgannon) & Burke Miller and their children Keikilani and Kanilehua; great uncle Father Michael Gillgannon; great aunt & uncle Nancy and B.J. Young and their children and grandchildren. Jack had no trouble staying connected to such a large family.

Jack suffered the loss of the family dog Hannah and brought the gift of the dog Lana to our lives.

Jack was preceded in death by his cherished grandparents Jeanne ""ya-ya"" Gillgannon (Futvoye) and Gibson Gardner; his cousins Nick and Addison; and his uncle Bob Gardner and aunt Joan Gillgannon, both of whom he felt a deep connection.

Jack's embrace of the fun in life is best heard in these lyrics he wrote:

I roll it up, drive with my knees
It's simple I do it with ease
Let's just cruise we'll hit the streets
Get loose and hit these trees

A visitation will be held beginning at 5:00 pm on Monday, May 13th, at the Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 11150 E. Dartmouth Ave., Aurora, CO 80014, with a Service of remembrance and sharing starting at 6:00 pm.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, May 14th, also at Horan & McConaty, 11150 E. Dartmouth Ave., Aurora, CO.

The Gardner family appreciates your love and support.

In lieu of flowers, we ask you to consider a charitable donation to any of the following programs that were important to Jack:

Mission Viejo After School Program, Cherry Creek Schools Foundation
Mail a check to Cherry Creek Schools Foundation, 4700 S. Yosemite, Suite 130, Greenwood Village, CO Or donate online: (www.ccsdfoundation.org) – (Please note that the gift is in memory of Jack Gardner and restricted to the Mission Viejo After School Program).

Ian James Wallace Scholarship – Donate online at www.ianjameswallace.org. Indicate that the gift is in memory of Jack Gardner.

Visitation: May 13, 2019 5:00 pm

Horan & McConaty - SE Denver/Aurora
11150 E. Dartmouth Ave.
Aurora, CO 80014

Service of Remembrance and Sharing: May 13, 2019 6:00 pm

Horan & McConaty - SE Denver/Aurora
11150 E. Dartmouth Ave.
Aurora, CO 80014

Funeral Mass: May 14, 2019 10:00 am

Horan & McConaty - SE Denver/Aurora
11150 E. Dartmouth Ave.
Aurora, CO 80014

Reception: May 14, 2019 11:00 am

HeartLight
11150 E. Dartmouth Ave.
Aurora, CO 80014