Eugene (Gene) Harold Bohren |
| Posted 2009-11-15 by Sharla |
| Hampton Funeral Home Prescott, Arizona Eugene (Gene) Harold Bohren, age 80, passed away peacefully on November 6, 2009, at the Veteran's Administration Hospice facility in Prescott, Arizona. He was a member of the "Greatest Generation" of the twentieth century and a Depression era farm boy born in Dale, Wisconsin, May 14, 1929. Stories of growing up on a dairy farm with his seven surviving brothers and sisters and all of their antics always entertained his friends, children and grand children. A strong sense of military duty and service to his country was instilled in him at an early age by the example of his family. World War II found all of his brothers and an older sister enlisted to preserve our American way of life. Gene graduated from Appleton High School in 1947 and enlisted in the Army. During basic training and boot camp, he discovered he had flat feet and was transferred to the Air Force. He was based at Carswell Air Force Base, Ft. Worth, Texas, where he met the love of his life, June Morrison, on a blind date. He was honorably discharged in 1949 as a Staff Sargent and was located to the Veteran's Administration in Prescott, Arizona, in 1950 to recuperate from tuberculosis. He spent two years in the hospital and then went to college on the GI bill at Arizona State College, now NAU, in Flagstaff, Arizona, graduating in 1955 with a major in Industrial Arts and a minor in Elementary Education. He later earned his Master's Degree in 1966 and obtained an Education specialist Degree in administration in 1971. His first job after graduation took him back to Gatesville, Texas. He taught juvenile delinquents industrial arts at the Texas State School for Boys. Three years later, he relocated to Waco, Texas, to teach veterans industrial arts skills at the Veteran's Hospital in Waco. Yearning for a drier climate, in 1960 he and his family moved to Arizona, as he had a teaching job in Flagstaff. By chance, he stopped to see some dear friends George and Iva Backe in Prescott. They convinced him to interview for a job with Abia Judd, the Superintendent of Prescott Public schools. The rest is history, as he started teaching sixth grade in September 1960 at Miller Valley Elementary School. He also taught at Lincoln and Dexter Elementary schools, as well as the assistant principal of the Prescott Junior High school. Prescott was expanding and in 1976 he became the founding principal of Granite Mountain Junior High School, retiring in 1986. Throughout his career, he was a football, basketball and track coach and was an influence in a lot of Prescott area children's lives. Retirement brought ten years of happiness to him and his wife, June. They moved from the pines of Prescott to Chino Valley where he became a gentleman farmer and planted a big garden and taking care of a variety of fruit trees. He was Mr. Green Gene! He lost his beloved June in 1996 and missed her every day. He is survived by his two daughters, Rose Bohren Torbyn (John) of Phoenix; and Laurie Lambert (Jeff) of Chino Valley. He was predeceased by his parents, Robert and Rose Bohren of Wisconsin, and brothers John, Oscar, Robert, Derold, and sisters Effie and Ruth. Also surviving are his grand children: Edward J Ball III (Sabrina) of Scottsdale, Arizona; Heather Matson (Dave) of Phoenix, Arizona; and Justin Gossen (Tracy) of Chino Valley, Arizona. Six great grandchildren: Courtney, Cassidy and Chloe Ball; Alder Matson; and Daisy and Felix Gossen. Surviving also, is his remaining sister, Alice Moderson (Keith) of Sun Lakes, Arizona, and his wife's remaining sister, Nan Morrison, of Chino Valley, Arizona. He leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews and his best friend, his little dog Poco, who kept him company through all of his illnesses. Memorial grave side services will be at the Prescott National Cemetery on Friday, November 20th at 11am. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of Arizona. Local arrangements made by Hampton Funeral Home. ------------------------------------ The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Saturday, November 14, 2009 Eugene (Gene) Harold Bohren, age 80, passed away peacefully on Nov. 6, 2009, at the Veterans Administration Hospice facility in Prescott, Ariz. He was born on a farm in Dale, Wis., in 1929. Gene graduated high school in 1947 and enlisted in the Air Force. While in the service he met and married the love of his life, June Morrison, in Ft. Worth, Texas. Upon discharge from the Air Force, he was diagnosed with tuberculosis, which led to his arrival at the Prescott VA Hospital in 1950. Having survived tuberculosis, he attended NAU, which led to a 30-year career in the educational system with Prescott Unified School District. During those years, Gene taught at Miller Valley Elementary, Dexter Elementary and Lincoln Elementary. Gene started his school administrative career at Prescott Junior High as assistant principal and later was the founding principal at Granite Mountain Junior High till his retirement in 1986. Throughout his career, he was also very active in coaching young athletes as well as participating in many city leagues. In 1996, he lost his wife. He is survived by his sister Alice Moderson (Keith) of Sun Lakes, and his two daughters, Rose Bohren Torbyn (John) of Phoenix and Laurie Lambert (Jeff) of Chino Valley, Ariz. Also surviving are his grandchildren: Edward J Ball III (Sabrina) of Scottsdale, Ariz.; Heather Matson (Dave) of Phoenix; and Justin Gossen (Tracey) of Chino Valley, and six-great grandchildren: Courtney, Cassidy and Chloe Ball; Alder Matson; and Daisy and Felix Gossen. Memorial graveside services will be at the Prescott National Cemetery on Friday, Nov. 20, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to VA Inpatient Hospice of Prescott, Ariz. Local arrangements made by Hampton Funeral Home. Please visit www.hamptonfuneralhome.com to sign Eugene's guestbook. Information provided by survivors. See Also: Find A Grave |
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