Eric D. Gardner was born in Portland on September 8, 1966 to Christina A. Metz Gardner of Portland and David R. Gardner of Gresham. He passed away at the family home on December 4, 2012 after two years of battling cancer. As a child in a military family he attended schools in Portland, Hawaii, San Antonio, Fort Carson and Aurora, Colorado. He graduated from Hinckley High School in Aurora, Colorado in 1985. He briefly attended Aurora Community College before the family returned to Portland in January 1987. Born with Microcephaly, Eric mowed lawns and did odd jobs for friends and family. He always worked to remain at an independent level of living. He used his bike as his mode of transportation. Eric loved all things to do with trains including riding trains and toy trains. He also was a collector of World Wall II memorabilia and was always interested in information about the Titanic. He was an avid user of the Multnomah County Library System. He never stopped his quest for knowledge. He loved all animals, having many pets throughout his life, including guinea pigs, dogs and cats. He was a kind person who was willing to help anyone. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends. He life is a testament to what people with handicapping conditions can become. Eric is survived by his parents as well as his brother, Roy J. Gardner and his sister, Catherine M. Gardner, both of Portland. His aunt and uncle, Kitty and Rich Lund of Portland; cousins Tina Lind of California, Jon Lund, Bethany Lund, Jennifer Keeland and Ryan Keeland, all of Portland; An aunt, Mary Borszich of Grand Junction, Colorado; aunts and uncles: Carolyn Stevenson, Margaret Johnson, Jim and Jan Metz, John and Joyce Metz, Barney Metz and Frank Metz, all of Mitchell, South Dakota along with numerous cousins in South Dakota and Colorado. He was preceded in death by an aunt, Dolly Keeland; and uncles Edward Metz and John Gardner. A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 Am on Monday, December 10, 2012 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 5227 N. Bowdon Street in Portland. Inurnment will be at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Portland. Contributions in Eric's memory may be made to the Holy Cross School or the Oregon Humane Society.