Senior Exum Mountain Guide and AMGA certified Alpine Guide, George Gardner, died at the age of 58 while soloing the Lower Exum route on the Grand Teton on Saturday. George has been a mountain guide for that past 28 years and rumor has it, he logged the most number of guided trips last summer for Exum. Not much is known about the accident at the present time, but we do know that George will be missed dearly.
Having worked in a climbing shop in GTNP for the past 10 years, I came to know George pretty well. Every spring, he would drop into the store to say hello and our conversations often revolved around skiing. George was always willing to share a story and was no doubt one of the nicest guides (and guys) I’ve ever met. Everyone who talks about him seems to agree.
George was based out of Ridgeway, CO, but traveled to the Tetons every summer to work. I believe he left behind his wife, son and daughter, who will no doubt feel the loss the most. If you have a moment, please say a prayer for George, his family and his friends in this time of pain. Your spirit will be remembered George. Rest in peace.
Photo courtesy of Exum Mountain Guides
More info of this tragic event here:
http://www.jhnewsandguide.com/article.php?art_id=3329
Has anyone heard of when and where the memorial service will be? Please email me merrickjohnston@yahoo.com
George inspired me deeply on how to be patient and find ways to enjoy everyone’s company no matter the character.
George was a teacher and a mentor to me, and he and his wife Colleen truly changed my life. As posted above, if anyone finds out about the memorial service please email me – skelleyspearing@gmail.com. I am glad to see how many other lives he has touched.
George was my cousin we grew up on the Southside of Chicago. I was 4 years younger than George and had 4 older sisters. George was like an older brother to me. George was a star football player at St Laurence H.S. The one thing that I will always remember about George is how he always put others first. George always lit up the room when we got together as family . I know George is with the Lord in heaven with his father and all of the family that have gone before us. The Lord told the disicples in John:14 “In my Fathers house are many dwelling places, I am going to prepare a place for you. If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come and receive you to Myself.” I know George is climbing the tallest peaks in Heaven with the angels guiding him. The only pain is for all of us who loved him that are left behind. But we will all be together with George someday. My thoughts and prayers are with Colleen, Megan,Michael,Aunt Bernadette,Peggy, Michael,and Bernadette.
Thank you all for your comments. I think sharing helps in times like this.
I know there was a memroial at Exum on Sunday night. I will try to find out about future services and update this post accordingly.
George taught me how to climb and was a great guide. I will miss him very much. Rest in peace George.
George was my uncle. As the oldest grandchild, I have many memories with my Uncle George. From a very young age, I remember getting so excited when I knew I would see him because of the energy and happiness that emenated from him. What I will never forget is how he pulled me under his wing as an 18 year old. I was embarking on life and he guided me through my decisions. Uncle George was a very spiritual person who was truly in touch with himself and his heart and because of that, he was truly happy, lit up the room, and touched all of us. This type of spirituality does not come with hard work in today’s society. He took it upon himself to make sure the decisions I made were what I truly wanted in life and what truly made me happy and not the values that today’s society dictates. I will be forever grateful for not only the time I spent with him but for “teaching me how to fish” in how to determine what I truly want in life and how to achieve it.
I spoke with my mom yesterday evening and right now the plan is for a memorial service to be held out west potentially where George, Colleen, Megan and Michael have lived in Ridgeway, Co. There will be a second memorial service in Chicago, George’s hometown. As of today (7/22/2008), this is all To Be Determined. Please keep Colleen, Megan and Michael in your thoughts and prayers. This is very hard for them. Once they are ready, a memorial service will be planned.
Now that I know of this blog, I will keep you posted. If I fail to, please feel free to e-mail me at ppalascak@hotmail.com.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Patrick…as well as for the memorial service info. Keep us posted.
Steve
I live in Montrose, CO and have known George for a long time and Colleen even longer … My heart goes out to her and Megan and Michael. I just heard this today (Tues.) and am in shock. We lost this amazing person and I’m so glad I knew him – he always spoke to me of hope and inspiration and joy. I will never forget that.
Bob
I want to make sure everyone has seen this GTNP new release on the incident as well.
http://gtnpnews.blogspot.com/2008/07/investigation-continues-on-grand-teton.html
I had the wonderful privalege of guiding with George just a few days ago. He was one of the first people who really encouraged me to start working with Exum a couple years ago. I was so excited to see my name next to his in the scheduling book last week, and I will remember that day forever. He has changed my life. I remember looking into the mountains saturday evening and seeing what a beautiful night it was– I’m sure he was loving it.
I love you George. Thank you.
It has been an honor to know George both as a teacher/mentor and as a freind. george has changed my life and many others. my familys love goes out to colleen, megan, and mike.
thank you for everything George! we all love you
RIP George. I know he passed doing what he loved most. He was an incredible person and a very positive and grounded person. I’ll remember him forever.
thanks for the update patrick,
bob
Jorge, I’m sure gonna miss you. Many walks/talks/skis around the world the past 30 yrs. Louis Armstrong said: “we’ve only got one life and if you live it right, you don’t need another.” You did your prep work your whole life and were ready for that ultimate next step. You mentored all of us that you befriended with mentoring and made us all better people..
Un grande salude,
Jerry
George was a true friend for over thirty years. I worked with George at Henderson Elm. back in the mid seventies when he still lived in Chicago. Although it was about seven years since I saw George, we would talk on the phone or share an e-mail. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. His warm smile and kindness to others will be remembered by those he touched.
The memorial service for George Gardner has changed from Saturday, Aug. 2 in Colorado to Friday, Aug. 1. Details are still being firmed up. I apologize for the mix-up.
If the family is going to have a memorial service for George in Chicago would you please post it on this page. Thanks, Loren Jenkinson
We’ll do our best Loren. Hopefully Patrick will keep us informed.
Thanks for your comments.
As far as I know right now, a memorial service for George will take place in Chicago on Sat., Aug. 9. More details will be firmed up probably after the memorial service in Colorado takes place on Aug. 1.
Any idea what time on friday in colorado? trying to plan on coming from boulder.
I met george in Josha Tree while climbing with my dear friend James, celebrated Megan’s 5th birthday…it was a long time ago but I still carry that memory with me. What a bright light he was, what a terrible loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
At the present time, a memorial service is planned for George Gardner at 11:00 am on Sat. Aug. 9 at St. Linus in Chicago, IL. St. Linus is located in Oak Lawn. If anything changes, I will update. I will be attending this service so I should have a good understanding of the details and any changes.
Patrick! Any more news about the memorial on Aug. 9th at St Linus? I will be unable to attend because I am doing the three day breast cancer walk. My prayers are with the famiily. If you have any news please post it sice some of my friends may attend. Loren
he was my uncle and i miss him sososo much i think of him every day
he was my uncle….. i really miss him
peace out:-)))))))))
ilove you uncle george
i remember when he would come and visit he and my mom and dad would talk and talk and i didint even know what they were talking about but i just LOVED seeing him if your up there just so you know I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU SOSOSOSO MUCH may you rest in pease
sorry for your loss. i will miss george in moose this summer.