Stephen Nicholas (Nicki) Gardner, 69, of Columbia, SC passed at home on Saturday, November 30, 2024. He was born on April 26, 1955, to John Howard Gardner and Ruth Gardner Ketten.

Nicki was the fifth of eleven children. Being a part of such a large family was a blessing to Nicki and his love of family was evident throughout his life. You could hear the love and pride in his voice when he spoke of his kids. He cherished any time spent with family and especially a beach/fishing trip back in 2021 with 4 of his 5 brothers. He still talked about this trip up until the week before his passing. He could always be counted on to bring about a laugh, especially when you told him something and he responded, “I hear you” even though you know he wasn’t listening and wouldn’t remember. Or when he swore that American Idol called him to audition, and he was going to be a singer and make it big. He was always there to lend a hand to anyone who needed one no matter the task, building or repairing things, helping to move, helping Billy with his tree service, etc. up until the last few years when he just could no longer do it.  His last few years have been rough, but he managed to fight his way through until his demons finally got the best of him. His lifetime dream was to relocate to his birthplace of Denver, Colorado but finances and his health would ultimately prevent this from occurring.

In addition to his parents and stepfather, Vernon A. Ketten, he was predeceased by his son and daughter-in-law, William Peter (Billy) Tuomala (Heather), a great-granddaughter, Paisley Landers,  an older sister, Cheryl Gardner McDonald, two younger brothers, Joseph Forrest Gardner, and Timothy Scott Ketten, a younger sister, Kathryn Diane Ketten Whetsell and a nephew, Corey Adam Whetsell.

He is survived by his children, Tiffany Echevarria of Blythewood, SC, Timothy Gordon of Brunswick, Georgia, Cameron Coleman of Johnson City, Tennessee and Stephanie Alms (Natalie) of Chicago, Illinois, his brothers, Jerry Gardner (Theresa), Randy Gardner (Danielle), Jaime Ketten (Tina) and Chris Ketten, sisters, Linda Pender and Teresa Higgins (Patrick), grandchildren, David Echevarria, Jr., Dylan Echevarria, Daniel Echevarria and Nicole Echevarria, Jackson Gordon, Jameson Gordon, Ashley Gaulopon and Chloe Gordon, Catherine Landers, Andrea Milam, DJ White, Kai Coleman and Zoey Coleman and six great-grandchildren along with a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

South Carolina Cremation Society is assisting the family. Family and friends may sign the online guest book by clicking on the “Tribute Wall” tab above.