Garland Gene Gardenhire

Garland Gene Gardenhire, 83, of Albuquerque passed away Sunday January 8th, after an unexpected cardiac incident early Saturday morning. Gene was born April 19, 1933, in Lakeview, TX to Garland and Beatrice Gardenhire. He was raised on the family farm and attended high school in Estelline, TX. He graduated in 1954 from West Texas State College, then served in the Army from 1954 to 1956. After teaching a few years in Dumas, TX, he moved to Albuquerque in the fall of 1961. In 1963 he received his Master of Education in Science from UNM. Gene was a longtime mathematics teacher at the Albuquerque Academy. In his 35 years at the Academy he also served as math department chair, coach, upper school principal, and director of Alumni relations. Gene also worked a few summers at Sandia National Laboratories, and taught part time in the math department at UNM. He was actively involved in the state and National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and the national MATHCOUNTS Competition Program as a volunteer and coach where he took several teams from Albuquerque Academy to the national finals. He worked for many years with the Advanced Placement program as a teacher, coach, and grader. Upon retirement from the Academy, he volunteered over 10 years working the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Gene enjoyed golf (getting his first hole-in-one last year), gardening, travel, games with his grandkids, and conversation. He was known to strike up a conversation with anyone who would listen. He is survived by wife, Susan, of Albuquerque; a brother, Charles and wife, Sue of Las Cruces, NM; 5 children: son, Terry and wife, Chris of Cody, WY, daughter, Gayle Claiborn and husband, Richard of Watsonville, CA, son, Alan and wife, Melissa of Rockdale, TX, son, Kyle Hahn of Dripping Springs, TX, daughter, Becca Ferguson and husband, Matt of Carrizozo, NM; 12 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Gene was preceded in death by his first wife of 23 years Wanda, and his two sisters, Billie Ruth and Erma Dean Waters. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. at FRENCH-Lomas with a family greeting reception following. In lieu of flowers the family asks you to please donate to the charity of your choice.



FRENCH - Lomas
10500 Lomas Blvd NE
(505) 275-3500