Lifelong resident of Grand Falls and Alpine Rancho, Gary D. Schuler, lost his courageous battle with cancer on Sunday, May 9, 2010. Gary was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on April 2, 1960. Born to the Nakai Dine'e clan of the Dine (Navajo) Nation, he was born for Nalani, Cheyenne River Lakota. Todich'iinii are his maternal grandfathers, and Biligaana, Italian, his paternal grandfathers.

Having grown up around Grand Falls with grandparents, uncles and aunts, Gary was accustomed with the traditional Dine way of life including care of livestock, love and care of land, and pride in his fluent use of the Dine language.

Gary attended school at Leupp Boarding School and Marshall Elementary. He attended Flagstaff Jr. High and graduated from Flagstaff High School in 1979. Track and field dominated most of his high school career with numerous awards and records set for running and high jump. He attended a year of art school and spent the remainder of his life in self-employed occupations including cattleman, mechanic, and builder. With the encouragement and support from uncles and brothers, Gary spent some time in the rodeo arena as a bareback bronc rider. As of recent, Gary was still reading Hot Rod Magazine. His dream included participating in the nationwide Hot Rod Power Tour in a refurbished '71 Cougar which was in the works.

Gary's love for athletics and sports continued throughout his life. He participated in the locally held Native American Olympics and was selected to participate in the 2006 North American Indigenous Games with Team Arizona when his health declined. An avid fan of college and professional football and basketball, his favorite teams were Oklahoma Sooners and Dallas Cowboys.

As an artist, his originality can be seen in his many creations including the design and building of traditional hogans. In 2006, Gary built a beautiful hogan that will serve as his legacy and reminder of his createvity and talent.

Gary is survived by his wife of 17 years, Theresa Boone-Schuler; stepsons Andrew "Dru" Gray and Dustin Boone; parents George and Nona Schuler; brothers Tony, Gerald, and Chris; nieces, Letisha Adorno and Oshwa Schuler; nephews Kessler and Glenn Schuler; grandchildren Francis and Angeline Adorno, KJ and Kaleb Schuler, Siakem Joshwa Burns and Jacy Lauren Gray. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousin borothers/sisters, nieces, nephews, grandchildren as well as many clan relatives.

Funeral services will be 10:00 MST, Friday, May 14th at the Grand Falls Bible Church with burial to follow on Family land.