Gil Kohler

Our beloved husband and father Gilbert T. Koehler passed away peacefully at the age of 97, on Wednesday December 2, 2009. He was born in Anaheim, CA on August 17, 1912. He attended Anaheim Union High School, where he was active in drama and athletics and President of his Sophomore and Junior class. He attended Citrus Junior College and USC where he studied freight traffic management. He worked in this field for 38 years. In July 1937 he married Cleo Woodbury. They had two children Gilbert Jr. and Marcia.

Gil was Master of Anaheim Lodge 207, F&AM in 1954. In 1960 he and his wife move to South Lake Tahoe where he was the Terminal Manager for Western Gillette Truck Lines. Gil was active in that community and was instrumental in forming a Men’s Golf Club, where he served as President. He also served as Commodore of a Boat Club and was President of the Kiwanis Club.

Moving back to Anaheim in 1969, he continued his work in freight traffic and worked for Consolidated Freightways and Anaheim Truck &Transfer. He helped form a new Men’s Club at Anaheim Hills Golf Club where he served as Secretary.

In 1977, he moved to Fillmore to work for his son-in-law at T&T Energy Service. His wife Cleo passed away in 1990. He married Rosella McDowell in 1992 that he met at the local post office where she worked. They loved to travel in their motor home and enjoyed parking it at the local beaches.

Gil was an active member of the Elkins Ranch Men’s Golf Club and served as President for six terms. He served as President of the Fillmore Citizens Patrol for two terms.

Those of us who knew and loved Gil will always remember him for his keen mind and superior health. Nothing kept this man down. No matter what trials he faced always persevered. He golfed well into his 90’s, was introduced to the computer at age 85 and mastered it, and was still driving his car, as of last week. Truly, he was a determined man, a great role model for those of us who loved him. We will miss him greatly.

He leaves his wife Rosella, son Gilbert Jr. wife Karen of Texas, daughter Marcia Thompson , husband Warren of Fillmore, four grandchildren James Koehler of Texas, Kelli Koehler of South Carolina, Talwyn Thompson of Ojai, and Terina Brandsberg of North Carolina, three great grandchildren Courtney and Ciera Brandsberg and Jeston Thompson. Step-children Harold McDowell, wife Kathy, Janet McDowell, Louise McDowell, Kirk McDowell, wife Laura, and many step grandchildren, step great-grandchildren, all who will miss him dearly.

There will be a memorial service on Monday, December 7 at 2 pm at Skillin-Carroll Mortuary 738 E Santa Paula St. in Santa Paula.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Wayfarers Chapel Lutheran Church, 461 Third St. Fillmore, CA 93015

An old story- “Is there a golf course in Heaven?” “Yes- and you have a starting time!”