Bonham, Texas -- David James Gehalo passed away peacefully October 6, 2024 at Medical City, Dallas.

Dave was born October 11, 1948 to Steven Charles Gehalo and Betty Jane Wegmiller Gehalo in Ashtabula, Ohio. He received his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at the University of Dayton in 1971. He stayed in the Dayton area teaching in the Associate's Degree Program at a Tech School. Later as an employee of Mead Advanced Systems, he was transferred to Dallas in 1979. He joined Reliance Comm/Tech as a senior engineer, later becoming the marketing manager of new project development. While at Rel Tech he received a patent for his development of the credit card pay telephone.

Dave married Jane Schultz Gehalo March 26, 1994, in Richardson, TX. While there, they enjoyed scuba diving trips, antiquing and driving their Model A Ford with the Dallas Model A Ford Club. They moved to Telephone in 1999 where he became a volunteer for the Telephone VFD. He continued to work and travel as Vice President and Marketing Director for Abest Communications. After retiring from telecommunications, Dave began substitute teaching at Sam Rayburn ISD and Honey Grove ISD. He believed in the importance of a good education. Dave earned his certification in Secondary Math Education and taught Freshman Algebra at Sherman ISD. It was the hardest job he had ever had. He retired from teaching in 2013.

Dave and Jane enjoyed living in Bois D’Arc Bottoms. Dave had designed and built their house. They moved to their home in the Sand Creek subdivision of Bonham when building began on Bois D’Arc Lake. There he set up a wood shop and began doing woodworking, making furniture and turning wood bowls and pens. Dave loved challenges and learning new skills. If he didn’t know how to repair something, he watched a YouTube video. When asked, Dave was always available to help others with their projects. He had many hobbies, including buying and restoring old radios, drawing portraits and growing oak trees from acorns. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle with the Saturday morning breakfast riders. Because of his electrical knowledge, he was asked to help with the set-up of the Model Train displays for various holidays and festivals in Bonham.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents Steve and Betty Gehalo. He is survived by his wife Jane; his brothers Steve (Shirley) of Florida, Bill (Kathy) and Tom (Donna) of Ohio and a number of nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bonham Public Library, Fannin County Relay for Life and the American Heart Association. His memorial will be held Thursday, October 17 at 1:00 at Wise Funeral Home, Bonham, TX.