Erick D. Gardner age 53 of Clinton, Iowa left this earth on Thursday, July 4, 2025 at his home.
Cremation rites have been accorded. A gathering of family and friends will take place from 3:00 to 5:00 PM on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at the Pape Funeral Home.

Erick was born in Chicago, IL on August 18, 1971, the son of James and Dorothy (Luster) Gardner. Erick was educated in the Chicago school system of Julie Ward Howe and graduated from Charles S. Prosser where he played football. Erick worked for the Chicago school system, Mary McLeod Bethune and also Oak Leyden special needs clinic in Oak Park, IL. When Erick was a young boy till adulthood Erick attended and socialized at Herbs Barbershop on the west side of Chicago. He was an avid movie and sports fan. His favorite basketball players being Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers. He was also a Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan. Erick loved to spend his Sundays eating pizza, drinking coffee and watching Sports Center.

Erick is survived by his mother, Dorothy Gardner of Clinton; 2 sisters, Luchinda Gardner of Clinton and Angela Luster-Wolfe of Clarksdale, MS; 4 nephews, Davion, Darius, Devontay and Jeremy; uncles Charles Taylor and Jessie Taylor; cousins Jimmy Willie Ruffin and Titilayo Houseton; a very special friend who he loved dearly, Tina Ruffin, and doggie companions, Bubbles and Manski. He was preceded in death by his grandparents and 2 nieces, DeVona and Bradley. Online condolences may be left at www.papefh.com