Gary Calvin Bluhm

1931 - 2015

Gary Calvin Bluhm

Chandler —December 25, 1931 - October 24, 2015

Gary was born in Miles City, Montana to Gerald H. Bluhm and Thelma K. (Runyan) Bluhm. He was preceded in death by his wife, Harriette Rebecca (Wisenbaker) Bluhm, a sister Marilyn Kay Laudon, a brother Fredrick Harlan Bluhm and both parents. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Doris (Gordon) Wisenbaker of Valdosta, GA, and four children, Brenda (John) Hargett of Chandler, AZ, Linda (Michael) Harris of Greenville, SC, David (Dawn) Bluhm of Issaquah, WA and Kim (Chuck) Thomas of Camano Is, WA. Eight Grandchildren, Stacie (Shawn), Kelly (Steve), Jeremy (Heather), Katie (Matthew), Bethany (Jason), Ryann, Brendon and Lindsay. Eight Great- Grandchildren, his Montana cousins and Georgia Nieces and Nephews.

Gary spent most of his early years in Montana with brief moves to Williston, North Dakota, Seattle, WA and Bainbridge Island, WA.

Gary graduated from Great Falls High School in 1950. He held school and state records for both track and football. He was on the 1949 State Champion Football team for Great Falls H.S. He served his country in both the Montana National Guard and Airforce. While stationed at Moody Air Force base in Georgia, he met his 'first love' Harriette Wisenbaker, of Valdosta, Georgia. They were married in 1952 in San Bernardino, CA while stationed at George AF base. In 1953 they moved to Washington and remained there until her death in 2010. They celebrated 58 yrs together. He moved to AZ to snowbird in 2012 and passed away on October 24, 2015 in Chandler, AZ after a brief illness. His 4 children were at his side.

Gary graduated from the University of Washington in 1959 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Commercial Design (Art, Architecture and Engineering). He worked for Boeing as a Manufacturing Engineer in Management at Plant II in Seattle and the Kent Aerospace Center for 38 years where he contributed to the SST, ALCM, Hubble Telescope, MICM, Sealance and HML/Roadrunner programs. He coached Little League in Bellevue, WA for 17 years with several winning All Star Teams and also coached Baseball for the CYO league. He enjoyed exploring the mountains, sports, riding motorcycles, camping, hunting, architecture, music, volunteering for church and community needs, friends and time with family.

He is now at rest in the arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ. Gary will be cremated in AZ and his ashes spread in Stehekin, WA, a town at the head of Lake Chelan at a future date. Stehekin is one of his favorite places in the mountains that he loved, built his cabin, hiked and enjoyed watching wildlife.

His Memorial Service will be at the Bellevue Church of Christ, 1212 104th Ave SE., Bellevue, WA on November 14, at 1pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of the Valley, Lund Home, 1982 E. Woodside Ct., Chandler, AZ 85297 https://hov.org/