Grant Thomas Gardner, 38, of Brooklyn, NY, died on Friday, May 10, 2019, in New York.

Grant Thomas Gardner was born on July 18, 1980, in Mexico, MO, to Gary and Orlana Myers Gardner.  After graduating from Montgomery County R-II High School in 1998, he graduated from the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO with a degree in Art History.

Grant worked as an assistant prop master. He was a proud member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Union local 52. A man with many talents, Grant also had experience working as a set decorator and most recently made paintings for different film sets. Grant loved exercising his creative talents by stepping into shoes of other people and creating work based on their specific character.

Grant was a man of many hats and names. It didn't matter what you knew him as; Randy, Larry, Grantly, Jerry, Dad, Mother, Moondog, Rider, Tops; he was just a great man who filled our hearts with light and laughs. To say he was one of a kind is an understatement. Grant loved to travel, go to operas, museums, but continued to be an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. Grant loved culture. He was eager and determined to learn French. He was an advocate of the arts and intended on creating an artist' retreat at his farm in Montgomery City, MO. Grant loved the element of surprise and used it often. There was no telling exactly what he was bound to do next. But whatever it was it was always followed by smiles and great memories. He loved to come home for deer hunting and enjoyed spending time in the deer stand that he, his brother, and friends built. He always looked forward to the peace and quiet found on the farm. Grant loved spending time with his family, especially his nephews and niece, and his numerous friends.

Grant is survived by his parents, Gary and Orlana Myers Gardner of Montgomery City, MO; his brother, Jim (Hoosier) Gardner of Foley, Alabama and sister, Alexis (LexyPoo) Gieseker and husband, Chris, of Mexico, MO; his girlfriend, Shelby Coppola of Brooklyn, NY.  Also surviving are his nephews and niece, Jacob Bayless, Billie Gardner, Paxton Gieseker and Grayson Gieseker and numerous friends.

Grant was preceded in death by his grandparents, Billie and Helen Myers and Earl and Margaret Gardner, and by his Uncle, James Myers.

A Celebration of Life wAS held at the Knights of Columbus Building in Montgomery City, MO, on Saturday, May 18, 2019.  The family received friends from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM and a service followed at 4:00 PM all at the Knights of Columbus Building in Montgomery City, MO, on Saturday, May 18, 2019.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions to be determined by Grant's family at a later date, c/o Schlanker Funeral Home, 207 Danville Road, Montgomery City, MO   63361.