AUSTIN RYAN GARDNER – Nov. 10, 1993 – Oct. 30, 2023
Born in Albuquerque, NM on a “Black Sabbath kind of day,” raised mainly in Los Alamos, Austin’s most loved place was Vail, CO, where he worked hard, and played harder.
His love for a full send down the mountain and the same energy with every type of music will live forever within us all and reminds us to go for it even when we are scared. We all hear him in the simplest songs, and the passion he had for music and the beauty of this world is within us all. His music was infectious and brought so many of us together even through the hardest of times. He will now forever be the guardian angel he so needed the most.
A beautiful light for everyone he touched, Austin is now shining above us and reminds us of the fragility of life. He was the most charismatic and gutsy person, always pushing people to be their best and get out of their comfort zone. There will never be anyone like him ever again. He was truly one of a kind. He was the most special person. He brightened every room he ever stepped in. He could make everyone laugh. And he had such a charming personality about him he could get people to take over the world for him.
Sometimes life becomes so overwhelming, and the dark demons take over everything; our beloved Austin is now free of all that once haunted him. While he’s no longer on this earth, his spirit and exuberance surround us.
Austin leaves behind loving parents, Lisa and Mark Harris; best friend and sister, Cassidy Gardner; buddy and stepbrother, Bryan Harris; best friends ever, Zane and Kate Duffy; loving Oma (Sharron Crane); confidant, fellow rascal, and cousin, Kevin Adams; stepsister Melissa Stefik; birth father, Chris Gardner, and many loving family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his Opa, Nana, Grandmama, Papa Bear and Grandma GG.
Please celebrate his life in the littlest things. The family will be having a private celebration of life later.
“As below so above and beyond I imagine
Drawn beyond the lines of reason,” –Tool
Austin Ryan Gardner Nov. 10, 1993 – Oct. 30, 2023. Courtesy photo
