Booth Gardner dies at 76

Booth Gardner, Washington's two-term Democratic governor, died Friday, March 15, 2013, after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. He was 76.

Section:Gallery

Sat., March 16, 2013

In this Nov. 7, 1984, photo, Booth Gardner and Jean Gardner greet supporters after incumbent John Spellman conceded defeat in the gubernatorial race. Gardner, a two-term Democratic governor, died Friday, March 15, 2013, after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. He was 76.

Cole Porter Associated Press
This undated photo shows then-Gov.-elect Booth Gardner reviewing his inaugural address in his office. Gardner, a two-term Democratic governor, died Friday, March 15, 2013, after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. He was 76.

Alan Berner Associated Press
Jan. 1989 photo. Gov. Booth Gardner cuts the ribbon formally dedicating the new Ag Trade Center, adjacent to the Convention Center. Rev. Bernard J. Coughlin looks on. Colin Mulvany/The Spokesman-Review

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review
In this Jan. 12, 1993, photo, Washington Gov. Booth Gardner gives his farewell speech in Olympia, Wash. Gardner, a two-term Democratic governor, died Friday, March 15, 2013, after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. He was 76.

Benjamin Benschneider Seattle Times
Former Washington Gov. Booth Gardner talks to reporters Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008 at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash., after he filed an initiative to try and put the issue of legal assisted suicide on the ballot before voters in November. Gardner and other supporters of the measure have patterned their initiative after Oregon's law allowing assisted suicide under certain circumstances.

Ted Warren Associated Press
Former Washington State Governor Booth Gardner was on hand to address the Spokane County Democratic Convention, April 19, 2008 at University High School.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review
Former Washington Gov. Booth Gardner, is photographed in his Tacoma, Wash., condo with a view of Commencement Bay on March 4, 2010. The former governor, who is battling Parkinson's disease, will be flying to Los Angles to take part in the Academy Awards festivities this weekend. He is featured in the documentary short film "The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner." The film documents Gardner's fight for the passage of the the "Death with Dignity Act".

Dean Koepfler Associated Press
FILE - In this Oct. 25, 2006 file photo, Booth Gardner sits in Wright Park, near his home in Tacoma. Gardner, a two-term Democratic governor who later in life spearheaded a campaign that made Washington the second state in the country to legalize assisted suicide for the terminally ill, has died after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. He was 76. Gardner died Friday, March 15, 2013 at his Tacoma home, family spokesman Ron Dotzauer said Saturday. He was the state's 19th governor.

Ted Warren Associated Press
FILE - This March 7, 2010 file photo shows Wash. Gov. Booth Gardner arriving at the 82nd Academy Awards in Los Angeles. Gardner died Friday, March 15, 2013, after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. He was 76.

Chris Pizzello Associated Press