In 1979, Federal Way was a bustling sleepy community without a core identity.

The nation was under the throes of Jimmy Carter “malaise” and needed a resurgence. Each town, hamlet, neighborhood or community needed those who were willing to sacrifice for principles larger than themselves. Enter Ronald Reagan. His elections would not have been possible save for those like Lloyd Gardner.

“Many hands make for light work,” and Lloyd worked. Knowing him for two decades was difficult, instructive and at times overwhelmingly productive. His purpose was pure, his message was clear, sometimes his style and judgment overrode his clarity. He was a great friend and extremely supportive when in agreement. He was fierce in disagreement, sometimes justified, sometimes not. At this time in our history, there will be more Lloyds — for Americans are not listening or studying the success formula of our past history.

Lloyd participated in local, county, state and federal issues with great passion and conviction. He was always the first and last to help and did many acts of kindness anonymously as was taught by the greatest of all, even the Messiah. He had an inspiring message to communicate, but was an engineer, not a salesman. Lloyd took no prisoners whether conservative or liberal, but his mission was filled with integrity, and thank goodness for that integrity, we need more of it.

He tried to put education aright, a seemingly impossible task. He knew the union leadership of the NEA was destructive and a chief impediment of the public schools. He, like Don Quixote, fought the impossible dream.

His surliness at times offended even his friends, but he and we knew his intent and pressed on. In the coming years, there will be more offenses, as the friction promulgated by the likes of Lloyd in defense of freedom will increase beyond comprehension. If there was ever an American grassroots believer in Thomas Jefferson’s “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” as well as the stark truths enunciated by our Founding Fathers, it was Lloyd. He believed the Constitution meant what it said, not what society would like it to mean.

He was right, and history is his witness.

There will not be another like him. No one will or can duplicate his or our lives. He was a family man par-excellence and knew who almighty God and his only begotten were. “He fought a good fight, he kept the faith, he finished his course.” The man once referred to as a “benevolent irritation” now belongs to history. May God rest his soul.

I loved Lloyd Gardner.

Joel Marks

Medford, Oregon (former Federal Way resident)