Phoenix, AZ - Gary E Bohling passed away on January 30, 2026. A celebration of his life and community service will be held April 4, 4-6pm at the Hall of Flame Firefighting Museum, 6101 Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ.

A Red Cross First Aid course led to his becoming a course instructor and influenced his life. In college he taught First Aid to the local Volunteer Fire Department where he helped organize their first Rescue Squad. (Before this, the local mortician responded to accidents until the fire department acquired an ambulance.)

After college, he accepted a position in Buffalo, NY that led to an industrial safety position at a large chemical plant and a new career. He then accepted a position as Industrial Safety Director at a large foundry corporation in western Michigan and moved to the small city of Whitehall with a volunteer fire department and rescue squad. In addition to his full time employment, he was also volunteer Fire Chief for over 20 years and expanded the department to meet the needs of a growing community on the coast of Lake Michigan. He and his wife Gail retired to Phoenix, Arizona where he kept busy as a volunteer EMT on the Phoenix Fire Department Crisis Response Team, retiring again at age 80. He continued volunteering as the Senior Docent at the Hall of Flame, actively participating in museum events into January, 2026! He was always proud to have his local granddaughters participate in museum events and parades. In addition to these commitments, he and his wife Gail enjoyed international travel and making new friends along the way He was known for his caring nature and a life well lived.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Gail. Son James (Rose) of Lansdale, PA. Daughter Alison (Jeff) of Phoenix, AZ. Granddaughters Caroline, Nina, Ava and Ashley. Memorial donations are suggested to the Hall of Flame Museum, or the Boys and Girls Club of Central Arizona.