Hope Hulet Gardiner: Child #1 - James Hulet Gardiner Born 1 Jane 1921 In Meadowcreek, a quiet suburb of Sublett, Cassia, Idaho. He spent most of his childhood and youth on a farm south of Malta, Idaho. Graduated from High School in 1939. Studied radio at Utah State at Logan, Utah during 1940-41 and then in the summer of 1941 went to work for Lockheed Aircraft, Burbank, Calif. US Navy service from the fall of 1943 to Jan. of 1946. Navy service consisted of going to Radio Materiel School and then teaching in that school until separation from the service. He received a degree in Sociology from Utah State in 1948. Worked in television and radar servicing for a few years then went to work for National Broadcasting Co. in 1951. Employed in their Television recording department, specializing in maintaining recording equipment, to the present time (1978). Outstanding work experience was trip to China with the Nixon group in 1972.
Family: Married Elaine Mary Scholl in Salt Lake Temple, 1943. Seven fine children graced this marriage. Elaine passed away in i960. Married Irene Carol Thomsen in Los Angeles temple in 196l. Carol shouldered the responsibilities left by Elaine as well as bearing a son of her own.
Church service: All positions in Elder's Quorum presidency, Stake YMMIA secretary for several years, counselor in bishopric, Sunday school teacher for many years, currently on stake high council and still teaching Sunday school.
Kent Gardiner: James Hulet Gardiner was born 1921 in Sublett, Idaho and was raised on a farm in Malta, Idaho. They had no indoor bathroom or insulation, just boarded siding and a wood stove against the cold blast of the Idaho wind. He walked a mile and a half to high school each day, played the trumpet, and enjoyed listening to a crystal radio late at night when it was completely quiet. After leaving home, JH went to California to work at Lockeed Aircraft, when he fell head over heels in love with Elaine Scholl, and was drafted into the Navy. He taught the fundamentals of radio on Treasure Island, in the San Francisco Bay. He was a radioman.
James, worked for NBC Television as an electrical engineer. At first he was in the Hollywood location but when the TV station moved to Burbank he did as well. He worked for NBC from September 22, 1951 to March 31, 1987 at which time he retired.
In 1960 Elaine passed away and later he fell in love with and married Carol Thomsen. He fixed everything from televisions, radios, air conditioning, heating, and automobiles to VCR’s and computers. JH loved church service and his family and was an example of integrity to all who knew him. He died at 86 from mesothelioma.
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| Radioman insignia worn on sleeve of uniform |
Treasure Island Navy Training
Short history: James Hulet Gardiner
Full history: James Hulet Gardiner
Navy Discharge Papers
Favorite story: The Washed Window
Funeral photographs
China Ensign Article by James Gardiner
1366 Cleveland Road, Glendale, CA
James Hulet Gardiner Family Photos 1952 - 2006
First home, 914 N Isabel, Glendale, CA
Carol Gardiner, second wife
Sheep wagon similar to the one he lived in as a toddler and slept in as a teenager:
Kent,
Do you remember the old Sheep Camp out at Bridge, Idaho? I found a great picture of one on the internet from Grouse Creek, Utah. (Grouse Creek isn't far from Bridge or Malta) JH, Golden and Mary all lived with their parents in one of these. You've heard the story about JH dropping the piece of iron on Dad's head -- you can see the little window in the back of this and visualize that story -- that must have smarted. C
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| In 1940 JHG is a 19 year old freshman at USAC (Utah State Agricultural College) and lists his major as Radio. |
1942 Hollywood Ward
I've compared some of the faces in this photograph to other known photos of Hollywood Ward in the 1940s and believe these were taken in that ward. Probably 1942. Jim was in Logan in 1941 and began dating Elaine January 24, 1943 so I think these were taken in 1942 before he and Elaine started seeing each other.
Can you find JHG in each photo? or a part of what could be Elaine's face in one photo? During this period Dad was self conscious about he looks and for that reason didn't like wearing glasses. These are really good photos of large groups. Kent
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| James Gardiner, far left in glasses |
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| James Gardiner back row, fourth from right |
Treasure Island:
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The label has an old Pepsi-Cola logo on it and says, “This is a recorded message from your man in service.” This 78 RPM record holds a sweet audio message. During World War II, Americans joined together to help each other and the servicemen fighting overseas, including companies like Pepsi. From my internet research I learned that Pepsi ran canteens in New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. that provided meals, showers, and other services to military men and women. They also set up recording booths in these canteens and sent a traveling recording booth to other military camps where millions of soldiers were able to create these wonderful audio letters to send to their loved ones. Online, I’ve found people talking about records they’ve found that were recorded in Louisiana, California, and Mississippi.
(Note: This blog post is not an endorsement for Pepsi. While this service they provided likely brought joy to many, companies also benefited from creating a patriotic image and connecting their products to the idea of victory in the war.
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During WWII James served in the Navy on Treasure Island
Information on the school at Treasure Island:
To provide a major increase in training, BuPers directed that another school be opened on Treasure Island in the San Francisco Bay. To be called the RMS-Treasure Island, this would have an authorized complement of 800 and a curriculum replicating the RMS-Bellevue operation. Led by Lieutenant Commander Wallace J. Miller, the RMS-Bellevue Officer-in-Charge, development started in October 1941.
The training program that they designed was commonly called the Electronics Training Program (ETP). With Primary and Secondary Schools, the Primary portion would be given by engineering colleges across the Nation, and upgraded portions of the existing RMS would become the ETP Secondary Schools. Admission would be through a stringent classification examination (later commonly called the Eddy Test). Plans for the new activity were approved by BuNav on 7 January 1942, and a prototype Primary School opened in downtown Chicago five days later.[22] The ETP was very successful and remained in operation throughout the war, training an estimated 30,000 technicians.[23]
Poem written for Julie by JHG about her cat Sugar:
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| 1970 |
The Life of JHG Videos:
Untitled from K on Vimeo.
2007 Don Hillquist on JHG from Kent on Vimeo.
2001 Malta Trip from K on Vimeo.
Dear Kent,
About a year ago, I reconnected with Andrea Barlow Rounds, and have appreciated periodic messages from her since then. Most recently, I have enjoyed the photos that you sent of early Glendale West Ward days which she forwarded.
While feeling a little sheepish to admit that I have been exploring your Gathering Gardiners blogspot which I found through Face Book, I can't resist letting you know that I have enjoyed the very sweetest few minutes reminiscing about your family--and particularly about your dear parents. I'm not even certain that you will remember who I am, but Sandy was my friend in Primary, Jr. Sunday School, etc., until Glendale Third Ward was created, and we were assigned to that that new ward (somewhere in the early 1960's).
Mainly what I wanted to tell you is that seeing the photos and reading about Jim and Elaine set me to sweet reminiscing. I do remember when you lived on Isabel (we lived on Cordova). My father thought so very much of your father. I think they may have served together in the 4th Quorum of Elders. Your father always graciously recognized us children.
We appreciated his great sense of humor. I remember that "Brother Gardiner" was instrumental in our obtaining our first television set--which was thrilling. I remember your mother (dimly) as a lovely, graceful woman. And I remember Sandy as sweet and kind. Later, as a newlywed, I moved into Glendale Second Ward where we (as adults) came to know and enjoy the company of Jim and Carol. Please forgive me if I have breached a personal line, but I wanted you (and your family) to know how much my family loved and admired your mother and father. It appears that you continue to magnify a rich heritage . How fortunate your family is that you have brought your skill and talents to the task of preserving their history in such a marvelous way. The very best to you! Jeannie Roach Mitchell
Ham radio call sign:
Full list of 701 FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses in Glendale, CA:
Call Sign: N6OSI, Licensee ID: L01230957Grant Date: 01/04/2007, Expiration Date: 02/07/2017, Certifier: James H Gardiner
Registrant: James H Gardiner, 1366 Cleveland Rd, Glendale, CA 91202-2037
Social security information:
1959 - June Hulet Gardiner became James Hulet Gardiner:
1961 second marriage:
1966 Letter to Kent Gardiner:
1975 December 4, JHG center, shop stewart's meeting:
Apparently JHG had to swear allegiance at the union meeting above. He belonged to the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians - (NABET).
A union representative, union steward, or shop steward is an employee of an organization or company, who represents and defends the interests of her/his fellow employees but who is also a labor union official.
The National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians (NABET-CWA) is a labor union representing employees in television, radio, film, and media production. A division of the Communications Workers of America (CWA), NABET represents about 12,000 workers organized into about 35 local unions ("locals").
The union was first organised in 1934 as the Association of Technical Employees (ATE), at first covering employees involved in network television and radio; the union was created by NBC as a way to prevent its own workers from joining the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.[1] The ATE would soon expand to other radio networks, and by 1937, ATE also included independent radio and television stations. In 1939 the ATE achieved a union shop clause.
The union's name changed to NABET in 1940 and was affiliated with the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) in 1951. In 1952 Canadian radio, television and film workers were entered into the NABET fold. In 1965, NABET expanded to include workers in the film industry.
June 1, 2004 (family letter)
Dear Family,
A couple of weeks ago I gave a little boy from church a top made from half of a wooden, sewing-thread spool. He has been trying to master spinning it with thumb and index finger but has not quite mastered the art but won't give up. I still like spinning those little tops, which is probably held over from when I was a youngster and we made a variety of those cut-down spool tops from different size spools, painted them, balanced them for a long smooth spin and sometimes inserted a straight pin as a smooth point to spin on.
As youngsters we were always looking for interesting things to do. Stilts come under that category. We started with tin cans under our shoes, held in place with hand-held string or wire. That made a lot of noise and was not allowed indoors. Pretty tame stuff. We started a competition to get off the ground in feet not inches. I suppose we got the hang of it at lower levels but soon we had to mount our stilts from a fence, a wheel on
As youngsters we were always looking for interesting things to do. Stilts come under that category. We started with tin cans under our shoes, held in place with hand-held string or wire. That made a lot of noise and was not allowed indoors. Pretty tame stuff. We started a competition to get off the ground in feet not inches. I suppose we got the hang of it at lower levels but soon we had to mount our stilts from a fence, a wheel on
I was trying out a set of stilts with my feet about 5 feet above the ground and decided to cross a stream of water. The mud near the banks posed a problem. One stilt, then the other sank deeply in the mud and I could not lift them high enough to proceed. Then it was my turn in the mud.
I just had cataract surgery lens replacement in my right eye and can see better.I can now read the clock and some street signs.
Published on June 29, 2007, Daily News of Los Angeles (CA)
James Gardiner
CA United StatesJAMES "J.H." GARDINER Age 86, passed away at his home in Glendale on June 20, 2007. He was born in Idaho and has lived in Glendale for over 60 years, and had a longtime career with NBC Television. A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, June 30, 2007, 10:00 a.m., at the LDS Church, 1101 N. Central Ave., Glendale, with Interment at Valhalla Memorial Park. CRIPPEN MORTUARY Directors
Note:
Note:
My father's immediate cause of death was respiratory failure due to bronchopneumonia due to mesothelioma. Dad felt the disease came from putting in his own heating system in 1960 which brought him into contact with asbestos and doing his own brakes over the years. All car brakes used to be made of asbestos because it has the unique quality that it doesn't heat up very much. Brakes today are made of ground up metal or ceramic material.
Mesothelioma (or, more precisely, malignant mesothelioma) is a rare form of cancer that develops from transformed cells originating in the mesothelium, the protective lining that covers many of the internal organs of the body. It is usually caused by exposure to asbestos. Kent
Death certificate:
Valhalla Cemetery 2009 from K on Vimeo.
Kay Don Frost on JHG:
Demolition
James Gardiner went to the Glendale West Ward for many years. When it was torn down in 1990 he filmed the demolition: Note: Catch the high five at the end.
1990 West Ward Demolition from K on Vimeo.
Sandy on Aged Care:
2010 SAG on Aged Care from K on Vimeo.
A Reeder talks about Jim's sunday school class:
A Reeder on JHG from K on Vimeo.
Research: Kent, Sorry for the delayed reply-Ron and I have been visiting the Goodwills in Rochester and I needed to check my timeline. According to my records, which I talked over with Dad when I made my time line, we moved to Isabel around December 1950. We moved to Cleveland Road in the summer of 1959. I remember the first morning there, we got up and took our flexi-flyer and coasted down the sidewalk ending up on the Ulmer's lawn. The neighborhood was not as quiet after we moved in. S
Note: A few years ago I was asked to speak in Sacrament Meeting on Fathers Day. The bishop asked me to speak one minute before the meeting started so I did not have much time to prepare. The one scripture that I kept thinking of to describe dad was D&C 107:99 ("Wherefore, now let everyman learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence"), and I still think that it really describes him. My talk ended up being a talk on fathers teaching kids to work which was a major theme in dad’s life. I asked him after I spoke what he thought the most important thing he could teach his children was and he answered “teach them how to work”. So I guess I got the message through my thick skull after all. And speaking of diligence, Dad was Floyd and Lucy Kennedy’s home teacher for 33 years from 1969 to 2002. He had a standing appointment, the 1st Friday of the month for most of those 33 years.
Regarding humor, yes his was very dry, although he did chuckle once or twice when I was doing impersonations of Rodney Dangerfield. I know he loved Laurel & Hardy. I recall him saying that he got to see L&H in Logan after a youth temple trip which was a thrill. If you remember years back, L&H used to be on TV in LA for a ½ hour on weekends. Whenever I would turn it on, he would watch and sometimes I would notice the couch was shaking from him silently laughing. They were his brand of comedy. I also recall going to see the Return of the Pink Panther as a family (1975-76) and being amazed to see dad laugh out loud several times, which as I recall was not all that common.
One story, that he repeated several times, made him laugh just thinking about it. When the LA temple had just opened, he attended what was probably a ward temple night. Lock Hales, who was the bishop at the time, was in the dressing room in a handicap stall near dad and Bishop Hales was changing. Apparently, another brother whose locker was in the same stall where Bishop Hales was could not wait and just came in and started changing. Dad says he saw Bishop Hales standing there with a look that was a combination of “Why me?” and unbelief.
A few other random thoughts on experiences with Dad:
When he became the physical facilities rep on the high council in 1975, he recognized that there were a lot of projects to be done and not enough budget. As a result he took me along on a lot of work projects. Looking back on this, I have resurfaced every cultural hall floor in the old Glendale Stake buildings (Wilson Ave, old 2nd & 4th, Elysian Park, and Highland Park) at least once, some twice, and the old Stake Center on Wilson, 3 times. I have been on the roof of all the buildings of the stake including the Institute, and in all the attics and basements.
Dad kept in great shape by riding his bike to work. As I recall, he said he began riding to NBC in Burbank in 1965. He continued riding until he retired in 1988 I believe. You may not remember, but he and I rode our bikes from Grandma Thomsen’s apartment in Whittier to Sandy’s place in San Diego (Mira Mesa) during Easter vacation in both 1978 and 1979. The 79 bike ride was a round trip (110 miles each way). One kind of funny memory from the 79 trip. It was a Monday, the day after fast Sunday. We were within 20 miles of Sandy’s place (probably in Del Mar or Encinitas) and we stopped for water break. Dad sat down next to a guard rail and promptly fell asleep. He woke up a minute or two later laughing at him self thinking that passersby in cars would look at that scene and think, ”that poor teenager is standing next to a dead middle aged man.”
As I’m sure Kent and Mark can attest, I can say unequivocally that Dad never appreciated fine rock ‘n roll. In fact, when John was in the Bishopric, he paid me a dollar or two for a Pink Floyd poster on my wall and then he and dad had a delightful time ripping it to shreds. When they were done, all dad could say was “That was fun. Are there any more to rip up?” (He also did not appreciate rock at loud volumes the same way I did. No wonder my bedroom for years was in the back of the house.)
Living in southern California, I know dad sort of enjoyed the earthquakes. More than once he commented how he liked to watch how things in the house moved when the earth moved. Nature in action, literally. He passed on that rather dark trait to me, I love watching and listening to things when we have the shakers.
Gayle, I’m sure you recall when we would go to visit Grandma Gardiner, how try as we might he would not stop for much other than gas (which included bathroom breaks) and flat tires. (Sandy, sorry to exclude you but I think because of our age difference, by the time my memories begin of vacations [circa 1967 age 3] you were off at BYU) I recall we used to stop at a drive-in burger place in St. George for burgers, hot dogs, and soft ice cream. We always looked forward to this because we could get Sprite, which was not sold in California until 1979. We also stopped at a Skaggs drug store in Brigham City for triple scoop ice cream cones on the way to Malta. Other than that, we just did not stop. I remember year after year begging to stop at Calico Ghost town outside of Barstow. Never happened. I know mom always wanted to stop in St George on those hot summer evenings “and throw all the kids in the pool.” Dad wouldn’t because it was best to cross the desert in a VW Bus at night. The bus did not have air conditioning and it did not have a radiator; the engine was air cooled. Another life lesson learned on vacation with Dad. “The only good thing about Las Vegas is it has the cheapest gas between LA & Provo.” In 1970 or 1971 soon after I-15 was completed between Cedar City and St George, we passed by the Kolob Canyons part of Zion National Park right at sunset. With the sun at that angle, the huge red cliffs within Kolob Canyons looked like they were on fire. An absolutely beautiful sight. From then on, every trip we took up to Utah & Idaho, we asked, begged and pleaded with Dad for us to just stop and take a look at Kolob Canyons. It never happened for us as a family, at least not with any of the kids. I was on my mission in Argentina, and had been there several months when mom leaked a small bit of info in one of her weekly letters. She said something to the effect of “such and such was almost as pretty as Kolob Canyons when dad took us there.” I wrote back “Um, mom, I’ve never been to Kolob Canyons. When exactly did dad take you there?” Her response a few weeks later (due to the efficiency & speed of the Argentine postal service) was “Oh that’s right. Right after we dropped you off at the Missionary Training Center, we drove home and on the way dad said “Carol, let’s stop and see Kolob Canyons”. Sooooo. I get the picture. Wait until the last kid is safely locked up in the confines of the MTC and then go to see the place that all the kids have been whining to see with out any kids. She did not say if they stopped at Calico…but now I wonder.
Dad loved and revered his parents, particularly his mother. I have always had wanderlust and even as a little boy I wanted to see places; the national parks have always intrigued me. I asked him once why we never really did much sightseeing on our vacations. He told me that to him it was more important for us kids to spend time getting to know his mother and appreciate her than to go sight seeing, and that he wanted us to have as much time with her as possible.
Because of his position at NBC, he was given some rather unique assignments. I always found it ironic that a man who really had no interest in sports he had to operate the video machines at major sports events and he really could have cared less what the event even was. He operated the video at the Rose Bowl game several times. In 1974 he also worked the machines at Dodger Stadium for both the National League playoff (Dodgers vs Pirates) and the World Series (Dodgers lost to the Oakland A’s). Although he did not particularly like sports, he knew that I as a 10 year old boy loved the Dodgers and he brought me home a couple of souvenirs from the ‘74 world series that I still have. Dad’s only souvenir from the 74 world series was a 2 gallon jug of dill pickles which he enjoyed over the next week or so. I remember him being quite please with it. (His station was right behind a food concession stand).
He also was assigned to go to China with NBC news for Nixon’s trip in Winter 1972. I recall this vividly since I turned 8 years old on Jan 28, 1972 and dad was in China. My baptism had to be delayed until March waiting for him to get back. As a gift after the China trip, dad gave me the tool case he took complete with a TWA ID sticker. I still have it.
I know he was quite proud of his kids when they accomplish significant things. I recall he was very pleased when I finished up four years of perfect attendance at early morning seminary. He was also pleased at high school and college graduation ceremonies. I recall he was quite pleased with my steady employment through high school at Pat’s Ol’ Fashioned Meat Market and my 2 summers working as a student engineer at Kiewit Pacific Construction. He always seemed happy on wedding days for the kids and when the boys came home from missions. Looking back, I think the happiest I ever saw him was on the day Jeff got married. If you look at the picture of mom and dad from Jeff’s reception, I think that is the biggest smile I ever saw on his face.
The one thing he did not like about my steady employment was that by his judgment, I bought way too many records of loud, obnoxious rock bands. He said many times “JT you will rue the day you ever bought so many records.” (Over my teen years I probably owned the equivalent of 3 or 4 produce crates full of records) That day still has not arrived. In fact I have sold most of my old records and have replaced them with CD’s. JT
Dad loved to read. I think it was the one thing he did to relax and recharge his batteries. Late Saturday afternoons you usually found him on the couch reading (either preparing his Sunday school lesson or reading just for the fun of it.) More than a few of the kids turned out to be voracious readers (myself included, I’m not happy unless I am reading anywhere from 3 to 5 books at a time).
Dad was also rather blunt at times. I will never forget being dropped off at the MTC waiting to go into the meeting where they separate those who do not know what they are getting into from their parents, and dad asking the kid in line next to me “So where are you going?” The missionary says “Ecuador.” Dad’s response “Make sure you don’t come home with any parasites. They’re pretty bad” The missionary’s mother had a look of shock on her face. I was looking for the nearest rock to crawl under. He reminded me many times “JT, you’ve gotta have a thick hide to be a member of this church.” I’ve often wondered if this would be an appropriate slogan for a new proselyting program for the church. As a result of his work on the high council, he told me many times that when it comes to dealing with the church building department, it’s best to leave your testimony at the door of their office because there isn’t a shred of inspiration (or even common sense) inside.
One last thought, from a young age I have enjoyed trains. Still do. Dad was not a time waster. But I remember a few times where he and I were in the car and he saw a train a little ways off and he slowed down so we would have to stop while the train passed and I would get to watch the train. Luckily for him, at that time the Southern Pacific always ran full speed through Glendale, so he did not have to wait long.
JT
1984
Kent,
Attached is a picture after our wedding on the west side of the Mesa Temple (May 18, 1984). JH and Carol drove all the way from Glendale. Ginger and Matt are in the picture with our parents. It meant a lot to me to have your Dad and Carol there. Your Dad always made us feel special and I still remember the nice things he said to Missy that night at our reception.
The last time I saw your Dad was in Orem at Dawn's funeral. Mark took a lot of great pictures there that he shared with us. CG
Glendale Train Station, 1993:
