Harvey Chester Gardner

Harvey Chester Gardner was born at home on March 1, 1945, to Chester and Vivian (Goodpasture) Gardner of Hydro, Oklahoma where he grew up on the plains of Western Oklahoma. His family were homesteaders, and he naturally inherited their passion for farming and ranching. As a youth, Harvey was active in athletics, Future Farmers of America, band and the Hydro First Baptist Church. He graduated from Hydro High School in 1963 and then attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma, where he studied Chemistry and Mathematics. Harvey married Billie Anne Hargrave in 1965. During the years of 1966 - 1978 the couple had six children; Thad, Shannon, Jawna, Nyree, Lance and Heath. In 1968 they moved to Mooreland, Oklahoma where Harvey worked as District Sales Manager for MoorMan’s Feed Company. The family moved back to Hydro in 1973, and Harvey began farming full-time.A few years later he became a leader in the American Agriculture Movement and met with then-President Jimmy Carter to discuss the American Farmers’ need for economic parity. During the 1980’s Oil Boom, Harvey worked in the Oklahoma fuel, solar power and home improvement industries. Growth in the Pacific Northwest housing market offered new opportunities for Harvey and family, so in 1989, he, Billie and the three younger children moved to Portland, Oregon. He continued to enjoy owning and managing home improvement businesses until his retirement in 2016.Serving on the Board of Directors for the Oak Lodge Water Services District was also a highlight for Harvey.In Oregon, the farmer-rancher in Harvey reemerged in the form of vegetable and flower gardening and tending to his honey bees. During his retirement, Harvey loved family gatherings, bragging about his grandkids, road trips to eastern Oregon and camping and canoeing with his dearest Patricia Letourneux at Frog Lake located within the Mt. Hood National Forest. Harvey passed away suddenly on June 17, 2019, at his home in Gladstone, Oregon. He was 74. He was preceded in death by his younger brother, Darryl Dean Gardner, and his parents. Harvey is survived by his six children, Chester Thad and wife Pamela of Hillsboro, Oregon, Shannon Hoover and husband Michael of Canby, Oregon,Jawna Gardner of Raleigh, North Carolina, Nyree Zaemann and husband Brent of Vancouver, Washington, Lance and wife A.J. of Happy Valley, Oregon, Heath and wife Shelley of Oregon City, Oregon; Grandchildren surviving are Halston and wife Makiya Hoover, Hayley Gardner, Brooke Gardner, Garrett Hoover, Reese Gardner, Parker Zaemann, Ella Gardner, Jordan Zaemann, Harper Gardner, Lucas Gardner, and Raegan Zaemann.Also surviving are his beloved Patricia of Portland, Oregon, former wife Billie Anne Hargrave of Canby, Oregon, sister Judy Morgan and husband Jerry of Hydro, Oklahoma, his nephews Jerry Morgan Jr and Vance Morgan, niece Ginger Exinia and husband Joe and many Gardner and Goodpasture cousins. A private family gathering for Harvey Chester Gardner was held Sunday, June 23 in Gladstone, Oregon. A Celebration of Life ceremony and interment of ashes will be Saturday, September 14 in Hydro, Oklahoma. Harvey loved western Oklahoma and his hometown of Hydro. The family requests memorial be made to: The City of Hydro, PO Box 248, Hydro, OK 73048.