Found out yesterday that longtime Texas skateboarder, crafter of custom Texican skateboards, and wonderful son Frank Gardner has died.
Frank is one of the many people I knew online but have not met in-person. We chatted a lot, especially when our moms were both going through dementia. Of all Frank’s accomplishments – the skating, the creativity, etc. – I will alway remember him as a son who loved his mother and was devoted to her. Frank did the really heavy lifting during those days. That kind of situation is no easy ride, and Frank handled it with love and grace. That alone made me very happy to call him friend.
After Frank’s mom died he began a new lifestyle. During the horrible Texas summer’s he’d pack up the Texicamper van and head to the cooler Pacific Northwest, where he loved skating the many excellent skateparks up there. Then he’d return home and create fantastic skateboard decks for people. He pressed his own laminate, shaped the boards, and finished them. His decks were sought-after. Fine and solid craftsmanship was inherent and obvious when you touched one. Bullet-proof.
It saddens me that our paths will not cross in the future, in some awesome and perfect drainage ditch with all our friends sessioning alongside us.
My next ride will be in memory of Frank.
Frank at the Surfer ditch in Austin, flowing the way God intended us to. This is how it should look. Photo by the great Howard Dvorsky.
I was holding it back until I read this. Thank you for helping me feel this. Sometimes you just have to cry.
Everyone has there own memories, Brian. These are just mine. My way of getting things out.
Very well written. Caring for a parent with dementia and doing all you can for them takes hard work and lots of love, patience, and above all compassion. Frank did all that while pressing boards when he had a chance. Nice tribute you wrote Bob.
Sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. His impact and influence live on.
#SkateOrDie
A fine reflection and tribute to Frank. I always looked forward to his posts and marveled at his skill and creativity. It was obvious he had a big heart that embraced the world. It is a huge loss.
Ride on, brother. Ride on.
I’ll never forget that trip with him to Austin. We had a blast with Eric, Chip, & the boys at lil Surfer. I will miss him dearly. Rest easy my friend.
Sorry to hear about your friend’s transition.
You may not skate together together in this time and space, but very likely you will skate together elsewhere.
#SkateOrDie
Frank was one of the most extraordinary people I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. A devoted son, a true friend, and a deeply compassionate soul. He felt the world with an intensity that few do, always striving to bring light and laughter to those around him. His joyful spirit was contagious, touching everyone in his orbit. The weight of this loss is something my heart will carry always—a painful reminder of how fleeting time truly is. Don’t wait for the perfect moment, when the right time could be right now.
Wow. Thank you for posting this. I am on a social media hiatus for a bit, and one of the biggest (only?) downfalls of NOT being on social media is missing out on news/information such as this. Godspeed, Frank. I hope has found an endless ditch where ever he is now.
Roll on.