Obituary of Ryan Thomas Gardner

Ryan Gardner, 35, passed peacefully and unexpectedly on March 31, 2024. Ryan was surrounded by family and loved ones during his final days.

 

Ryan was born in Lompoc, raised in Goleta, and moved to Santa Cruz in 2015.  He quickly decided Santa Cruz was his new home. The majestic redwoods, large surf, and rivers called to him. His favorite activity of all-time was fishing. He could be found “throwing a cast” in the San Lorenzo River every open day of Steelhead season. He fished the ocean, river, and streams weekly. He had a personal relationship with the ocean and surfed when the swell was up often hitting Natural Bridges, Wind and Sea, and Año. He was a self-taught musician and played guitar daily. These activities all stemmed from his active youth, creative spirit, and love of the outdoors.

 

Ryan's curiosity drove all his pursuits from a young child and into adulthood. He never stopped learning and he loved to be good at everything he did. You could often find him watching YouTube videos and listening to podcasts on topics from bitcoin, politics, weather patterns, nature, music, tools, construction, and modification of his Ford truck. 

 

Ryan was a standout athlete growing up in Goleta and enjoyed competition in soccer, basketball, football, and water polo, but his favorite sport was baseball. Ryan attended Goleta Union School District, Goleta Valley Junior High and Dos Pueblos High School where he was an honors student and involved in leadership and Boy Scouts until his senior year. Ryan trained for pro baseball with Santa Barbara City College, the Santa Barbara Foresters 2008-2010, and eventually signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Indians 2010-2011. As a pitcher, Ryan threw consistently in the high eighties, often in the nineties, and topped one hundred many times in his pitching career. He understood the mental game of baseball well, with its more than twelve thousand plays that could occur in one game. He also enjoyed catching and infield. After the minor leagues he continued with his love of the sport, playing on multiple men’s baseball teams including The Expos, The Marlins, and the Whitecaps from 2015 until this 2024 season. Ryan played baseball every weekend during the season and softball on Friday nights with his beloved teammates on the Bunt Pirates. He showed up to every game with a smile on his face; he was humble, supportive and had the best attitude on the field. He played his last game on March 17, 2024.

 

Ryan was a long-time employee of Hansmann Construction in Santa Cruz and Sage Float Spa in Capitola. Ryan was an expert carpenter and loved all aspects of the building process; especially stain-grade finish work. His work ethic was unmatched and he was a loyal part of the team who showed up happy and ready to work every day. He was respected by his co-workers and clients. He loved to take on side jobs and people all over town depended on Ryan for his multitude of skills. Over the last two years, he proudly remodeled the home he lived in with his girlfriend; completing the finishing touches just weeks before he passed.

 

Ryan was strong-willed, had an enormous heart, the brightest smile, and a silly sense of humor. He was positive, consistent, and always willing to lend a hand, especially when tools were involved! His talent was extreme.

 

Ryan is survived by mother Stephanie Gardner, who loved him to no end, calling him every morning to say, “Have a good day,” and, “I love you so much!”, father Robert Gardner; brother Nolan Gardner; half-brother Dallas Gardner; grandmothers Donna Alexander & Marilyn Gardner; aunts Lynne Hargett & Sandra Alexander, Bettina & Tina Gardner; uncles Tom Alexander, Ron Hargett, & Glenn Gardner; cousins Olivia Rottmann, Beau & Matt Manning, Tristen, Dylan Gardner & Zach Gardner; Elana Gainor of Scotts Valley; plus all of his extended family, teammates, friends, clients and co-workers. 

 

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Thomas Alexander, and Ronald Gardner.

 

Ryan is not defined by addiction, which he battled secretly, but rather for his love of living. We loved Ryan for being a dynamic person with so many talents and a positive attitude that would light up the jobsite, dugout, or room! We will always remember his generous, helpful nature and love of fishing, baseball, surfing, guitar- playing and building. He is adored by his family and friends. He will be deeply missed and never forgotten. 

 

A private celebration of life will occur on May 11^th in Northern California. Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers for Ryan and the Gardner/Alexander Family. Rest In Eternal Peace, Ryan!

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