Paul F. Buhr

Paul Buhr, 60, of Gaylord, died at home, July 20, 2023. He was an expert at balancing work and play to get the most out of life in Northern Michigan. For the last 18 months, he added living with cancer to that balance, equally dedicated to treatment, his clients, and his passion for everything outdoors, in every season.

He was born on February 21, 1963, to Alvin and Julianna Buhr, in Royal Oak, Michigan. He attended Ferris State University before entering a life-long career in sales. For the last 20 years, he worked as an Account Manager with Advantage Label & Packaging of Grand Rapids. His colleagues, vendors and customers all benefitted from his consistently positive nature, and his heart of a servant. 

He married Jennifer Scott on May 17, 1996, and they had one son, Gunnar Buhr.

Paul never met a stranger. He enjoyed life-long friendships with men he called brothers, and that brotherhood supported him right through hospice. He counted his race community as family and joined them in competition right into the 2023 race season. In his 60 years, Paul never stopped adding new friends to an extended family that stretched beyond shared passions and purpose.

His own family was his greatest passion and purpose. He, Jennifer and Gunnar shared a life that included off-road motorcycle racing, waterfowl and deer hunting, boating and kayaking, downhill skiing and snowshoeing, hiking and mushroom hunting, and more. He raised an equally avid hunting partner and introduced his wife to a passion for the outdoors all her own. He will live on through both.

Paul is survived by his wife of 27 years, Jennifer, of Gaylord, his son, Gunnar Buhr, of Saginaw, sister, Karen McGregor of Rohnert Park, California, brother Melvin (Jana) Buhr of Bloomfield Hills, mother-in-law, Mildred Scott, of Oxford, brother-in-law Tom (Lesa) Scott of Auburn Hills, brother-in-law David (Gena) Scott of Oxford, daughter-of-his-heart Sarah Brockschmidt of Saginaw, brothers-by-choice Curt (Jessica) Zimmer of Dryden and Brad Zimmer of Canton, and many loving nieces and nephews. He is also survived by that large extended family and his pup, Sadie.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother-in-law Douglas McGregor. His beloved 13-year-old lab, Maggie Mae, passed away just days before him. She would never let him go anywhere without her, often insisting he load her into the truck hours early. For this journey, she waited to accompany him as she always had—patiently and near. 

A memorial service for Paul will be held Saturday, August 5, 2023, at 2:00 PM, at E-Free Church, 1649 East M32, Gaylord, MI 49735, with Pastor Scott Distler officiating. A luncheon at the church will follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Memory of Paul Buhr to one of the following: Anglers of the Au Sable, PO Box 200, Grayling, MI 49738; Outcry Youth & Street Ministries, 28625 Leona, Garden City, MI 48135; Karmanos Cancer Foundation, 4100 John R, MC: VE01FS, Detroit, MI 48201 or karmanos.org/giftofhope.

Please share your memories and personal messages with the family on his guestbook below.