John Gilman Kahler M.D.

John Gilman Kahler, M.D., of Tuscaloosa, went peacefully to be with the Lord on the 27th of September, 2022 at home surrounded by family and loved ones. A son of the late James Elias Kahler, MD and Rosemary Shoemaker Kahler, MD, he was born in Los Angeles, California on April 1, 1942. He was one of six children. Dr. Kahler attended Occidental College, Baylor College of Medicine, and UAB College of Medicine.
Dr. Kahler is survived by his sons Scott (Paige) of Augusta, Georgia and James (Kelley) of Auburn, Alabama. He is also survived by his special friend Leigh Ann Hobson (Darrell), his brothers, Rev. Jerome Evans Kahler (Beth) and Robert James Kahler, MD (Fran), four grandchildren, Sam, Sarah, Ava, and Audrey Kahler, and by Kristin Hobson, his caregiver Doris Hill, and numerous nieces and nephews. His sisters Mary Kahler Smith, Elizabeth Kahler Cubberly, and brother Richard Quimby Kahler preceded him in death.
Dr. Kahler served our country as a Naval Flight Surgeon during the Vietnam War and will be buried with military honors at the Alabama National Veterans Cemetery located in Montevallo. Commander Kahler was honored as part of the Honor Flight Network to our nation's capital in 2019 returning to be greeted by hundreds of patriots at the Tuscaloosa National Airport.
Dr. Kahler's medical career as a radiologist spanned more than fifty years. He was a Fellow in the American College of Radiology. Dr. Kahler was a managing partner of the Tuscaloosa Radiology Clinic for over twenty-five years and was a key member in establishing the clinic at its current location. TRC serves the community today as the premier clinic for radiology imaging. A special thank you goes to the Physicians and Staff of TRC for their kind support of Dr. Kahler and his family.
Dr. John, as he was affectionately known, was a member of Five Points Baptist Church and a teacher in the Agape Sunday School Class. He was a voracious reader and an ardent student of the Holy Bible. Dr. John was a servant on multiple medical mission trips to El Salvador where he provided care to people in need. He spoke often of the people of El Salvador and his Brothers and Sisters in Christ. Dr. John spent his Saturday mornings studying the Word with a special group of leaders of our community.
Visitation will be at Five Points Baptist Church Saturday, October 1st, from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM. His funeral will be at Five Points Baptist Church on Sunday, October 2nd at 1:00 PM with Pastor Drew Heurion officiating. Burial services with military honors will be Tuesday, October 4th at 10:15 AM at the Alabama National Veterans Cemetery in Montevallo with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.
Pallbearers will be William Tunnell, Arnie Sanford, Rick Bailes, David Brasher, Brad Fanning, Willie Cleveland, William Rey, and Jack Trimm. Honorary pallbearers will be the men of his Sunday School class and the men of his Saturday morning fellowship group.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in memory of Dr. Kahler to El Salvador Missions through Five Points Baptist Church, 3718 36th Street, Northport, AL 35473. All donations will be used to provide medicine, food, and to support the staff of the Missions for Christ Foundation.