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Gary Klahr Obituary
Gary Peter Klahr, 72, of Phoenix, died suddenly at his home Friday, June 19. He was born in Bronx, New York on July 9, 1942 and moved to Phoenix in 1947. By age 7, Gary was the first MC for the Lew King Show, making him the youngest announcer in the country. Gary graduated from ASU and received a law degree from U of A at the young age of 21. In addition to being an attorney, he was on the Phoenix City Council in the 1970's, as well as a member on the Phoenix District School Board. Gary was a fighter for civil liberties. He was an advocate for juveniles and students' rights. One of his earliest accomplishments was forcing the reapportionment of legislative districts in Arizona, while still a law student. He is survived by his brothers, Bruce Klahr of Boulder, CO and Edward Klahr of Phoenix, and his sisters Bonnie Dahl of Boulder, CO and Betty Gruskin of Englewood, Colorado, as well as 5 nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 25 at 9 a.m. at Sinai Mortuary, 4538 N. 16th St., Phoenix. Contributions may be made to Chrysalis Shelter at noabuse.org.
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Memories and Condolences
for Gary Klahr
Sponsored by Clifton Asserting Parental Rights - cliftoncapr.com.
mike
April 24, 2019
I bumped into Gary on occasion. He was fun to be around.
Doug Coupland
January 31, 2019
Thank you Gary for being the best lawyer I will ever know.
Robert Judd
January 5, 2019
I had lunch with Gary often at the Spaghetti Factory. He was a brilliant lawyer and a great advocate for victims rights. He was an amazing go to guy when a session was about to start and a rebuttal was needed.
May he rest in peace, knowing that he had such a positive affect on so many lives. Mine included.
Linda Carle
February 1, 2018
Missing my employer, grandfather figure, friend, mentor. I was his caregiver for the last five years of his life, up until the last days. Saw him make progress, but I believe our Lord needed him more. He was a blessing and a lesson in my life. What I've learned from him is that Life is to precious. May you rest in Peace. I hope that we meet again. Thank you Mr. Klahr for all you taught me. It was a blessing to have know such a beautiful human being. My loss is your gain Jesus Christ.
Elden Bodily
October 28, 2015
I lived on Edgemont Ave. down the block from the Klahr family. My brother and I ran with Bruce Klahr. I sat behind Gary in algebra class at NPHS. After a test the instructor jokingly accused Gary of cheating. Gary executed a 360 degree move and said, "How could I cheat, there is no one around me more intelligent than I am." A correct statement, sure enough!.
Michael and Bonnie Robinson
Michael Robinson
July 15, 2015
Gary Peter Klahr was a fine man and exemplary citizen. We went to school with his younger brother Eddie at Longview Elementary. We liked Eddie. He was kind and never hurt anyone.
Rev. Jarrett Barton Maupin Jr.
July 14, 2015
What a mind. What a brilliant mind. Mr. Klahr was a friend to me and to my late grandmother, Opal Ellis. He was a champion of so many good causes. Civil rights, civil liberties, housing, education, election law, and on and on. I'll miss his random but strategic and insightful phone calls and my dropping-in unannounced to his house for wise counsel on the fly. Rest in peace, GPK.
Michael Kirby
July 8, 2015
I met Gary Peter Klahr when he acted as peace negotiator between my mother & I in 1968, when I was 15 years old and and an avid follower of the counter culture politics of the times,which my mother hated. He for whatever reason, took an interest in me during the next few years and mentored me politically, having me appointed to the Phoenix Mayor's Commission on Youth and the Community Organization for Drug Abuse Control. He and his brother Bruce later employed me for several years at the Inner Sanctum, where I worked with his sisters Betty & Bonnie and learned that the rest of Klahr familty were friendly, helpful and high achievers in their own right. These relationships through Gary Peter enhanced my self confidence, self esteem and provided me with steady employment over several years. I should also say that he represented me as my attorney in a case that would have caused me great personal harm had he lost in court, which he didn't.
Gary and I remained friends through the years and were in contact periodically. It is true that Gary exhibited a certain social akwardness, but his compassion, his interest in social liberty, and his ability to fight for the underdog greatly outweighed it. As has already been said, and I will confirm, he is the smartest person I have ever met.
Finally, Gary was very much interested in the treatment of young poeple in our schools and by society at large. When I was in high school, 1968 to 1971, our dress code did not allow jeans, tee shirts,
or shorts (come on, in Phoenix?). Girls' hemlines on dresses, skin revealed on tops were severely restricted. Boys had to have what was described to me by my school pricipal as a "boys haircut" i.e. hair taper cut up the neck & sides of the head with hair not to extend past the top of the ears or past the top of a shirt collar on the neck. Gary also worked tirelessly in Phoenix to protect students from unreasonable search & seizure as well as to provide activites for them outside of school hours and sessions. These were all very important issues to the youth of the sixties and Gary played a major part in rolling back these unfair and restrictive policies.
Finally, I just want to say that I will miss Gary Peter Klahr very much. He was a great mentor, friend & attorney. The fact that he passed away just days before the momentous SCOTUS decission in June is a real pity, because Gary would have taken great joy in both. I extend my hearfelt sympathy to the entire Klahr family for your loss.
Val Nelson
July 5, 2015
Knew Gary in the 70's through our involvement in the Phoenix Jaycees. A real trooper who 'walked the walk' RIP Gary.
Brenda Burke (Chadwick)
July 5, 2015
I am so sorry to hear the passing of Gary. When I was a young girl I went to school with his sisters Bonnie and Betty. I spent so much time at the Klahrs house and enjoyed getting to know all of the family. In fact I've been trying to get a hold of Gary so that I could find Bonnie and Betty. I'm so sorry for your loss and I'm hoping that Bonnie or Betty if you read this you know that I am sending my condolences but would also love to touch base with the two of you. Love Brenda Chadwick Burke
Lori Voepel
June 28, 2015
I am so sorry to hear of Gary's passing. I first met Gary when we served on the ACLU legal panel together in the late 90's, and we emailed frequently over the past two years regarding my client's case. My last email from Gary was June 12, and I unfortunately did not hear about his passing until yeseterday so could not attend his service. I will miss his interesting, insightful emails. Rest in Peace, Gary. You will be remembered by many Arizonans. Lori
GIL TREJO
June 26, 2015
A BRAVE SOUL HE NEVER GAVE UP THE FIGHT, RIP WARRIOR YOU HAVE EARNED IT.
Barbara Thompson
June 26, 2015
Rest in peace Gary. I remember you well in your younger days. God bless and comfort the family.
Cindy Walker
June 25, 2015
I never met Gary in person, but he became my friend through the Internet many years ago. The world is going to miss such a unique person. His death is very shocking, and I will will miss him dearly.
Gary & My Uncle Jack early '70's.
James Walmsley
June 25, 2015
I always appreciated Gary. He was a fighter and idealist who just couldn't tolerate the injustices within the "System".
First met Gary as our court appointed attorney as a juvenile back in the '60s. He did much to keep us from getting eaten by the Machine. He actually really cared about the plight of families without out adequate financial resources to be able to fight the legal system. He served us well then and for years to come. Will always Love him for that and the difference he made to so many other kids of the era (AZ Youth Center/Fort Grant fiasco!). He made a difference!
Goodbye Gary and Cheers!
Rand Vogel
June 25, 2015
His fight for reapportionment was a great move for the Republican party, for which he was once a member. Thanks for that fight!
David Stein
June 25, 2015
My nephew Bart Lasner sent me the notice of Gary's death and I was taken aback by it at first because we are nearly the same age; and then upon reflection I realized we had known each other since we were both becoming aware of politics and Arizona politics in particular: we were pimply chubby students in separate high schools. We talked a lot at synagogue. In reading of his accomplishments here, I echo the words of others in how much we need Gary's voice now to remind us that the battle for personal and political rights is to be fought by those willing to give up on the fantasy that it is a battle that is won and then forgotten about! Take care, Gary, and we will continue the fight for you.
June 24, 2015
So Sorry to hear of his death .
thank you, David Jones
Mechan Recall Committee
Al Preciado
June 24, 2015
sorry to hear about this. Knew him as UA student and met him again in Phoenix after l975. Changed Phoenix for the better.
Judi Williams
June 24, 2015
This community will miss him. He spoke up when it was so very much needed.
Sid Rosen
June 24, 2015
Gary was my U. of A. Law School classmate. BY FAR, HE WAS ABSOLUTELY THE MOST BRILLIANT LEGAL MIND IN OUR ENTIRE CLASS!!!! He and I were very special Lifetime friends, and shared the "War on Cancer" over the loss of his Beloved Mother, and my Beloved Wife, Babette. ARIZONA AND THE ENTIRE COUNTRY HAVE LOST ONE OF THE MOST IMAGINABLE LEGAL MINDS!!!!! He will be deeply missed. Sid Rosen, U. of A. Law Class of 1964
Trisha Klahr
June 23, 2015
Gary, always advocated for injustices in society, keeping to his principals and wanting people to be treated as equals... Gary was my oldest first cousin and taught all of us...it was okay to be different and stand up for what you believe. You will be missed by many, but your legacy will live on for many years to come!!
Jackie Rich
June 23, 2015
Gary cared about crime, justice and civil rights and was an incredible source for Arizona political history. He was never shy about his opinions. I will miss him.
Cesar Casciola
June 23, 2015
Gary also attended Longview Elementary and North Phoenix High Schools.
He fought hard for issues he believed in.Rest in Peace.
Bruce Klahr
June 23, 2015
Sorry I can't be there for the memorial, but I am in France. I had a conversation with Gary on the morning of his death. He was feeling good, so I was shocked to hear he died about 10 hours later. My older brother was the smartest person I ever knew.. Goodbye, GPK.
Chris Frandsen
June 23, 2015
Gary Peter Klahr was a true Phoenix and Arizona legend!!! We could definitely use more advocates of his caliber & courage nowadays! His positive impact on our city & state is immeasurable, and I am grateful for his dedication & service.
My heartfelt condolences to Gary's Family. He has left a legacy of which you can be very proud.
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