“Stone Fox” author John Reynolds Gardiner has died in Anaheim, Calif., of complications from pancreatitis at age 61, it was reported Thursday. The best-selling children’s author died March 4, his wife told the Los Angeles Times. “Children’s publishing has lost one of its touchstones,” HarperCollins Children’s Books editor Kate Jackson said, calling “Stone Fox” a “true modern classic.” Gardiner described himself as “a dumbbell in English” and said he never read entire novel until the age of 19, the newspaper said. He earned a master’s degree in engineering and worked as a contract engineer specializing in thermodynamics for Rockwell International and McDonnell Douglas, the Times said. He turned to writing in his late 20s and was inspired by an instructor who “didn’t give a hoot about spelling and grammar,” Gardiner wrote in his autobiography. In addition to “Stone Fox,” his books included “Top Secret” and “General Butterfingers.” Gardiner is survived by his wife, three daughters, a granddaughter, a brother and two sisters. © Copyright 2006 by United Press International

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