Michael George Buhl, known as Mike to his friends, of Oak Island, NC, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at the age of 70. Mike was born in Port Jefferson, NY on October 13, 1954, to Paul August Buhl and Marie Doran Bergenn.

Mike proudly served his country with over 20 years of service in the U.S. Army. He enlisted immediately after graduating high school in 1972, serving three years in the 73rd Signal Battalion in Germany. After completing his enlistment, Mike studied Wildlife Management at Tennessee Technological University and continued his military service with the 117th Mechanized Infantry, Tennessee Army National Guard. Mike re-entered active duty as a commissioned officer obtaining the rank of Major and took part in Operation Urgent Fury in 1983. Major Buhl served as an infantryman in the 82nd Airborne earning an Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, and an Air Assault Badge. He also served four years in Psychological Operations and as a U.S. Army Recruiter. He retired from active duty in 1996. Mike entered civilian service as Deputy Director of The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries, working from 1996 to 2007. After the terror attacks on September 11, 2001, Mike volunteered to re-enter active military duty. He was activated in April 2002 and served six months at the Pentagon in support of Operation Noble Eagle. In 2007, Mike continued serving his country as the Winston-Salem Office of Veterans Affairs Support Services Manager until his retirement to the coast in 2017.

Mike was predeceased by his father, Paul August Buhl, and his sister, Pauline Hilty. Mike is survived by his wife: Tamerha Curtis Buhl, and their two fur babies, Angelica and Sparta; his mother, Marie Doran Bergenn of Ocala, FL; sons, David Buhl and his wife, Rachael, of Fort Collins, CO and George Buhl and his wife, Elizabeth of St. Louis, MO; daughter, Michelle Bowen and her husband, Sean of Petal, MS; step-son, Christopher Dahmer and his partner, Jerry Hamm of Tampa, FL and step-daughter Shannon Dahmer of Wilmington, NC; brother, Thomas Buhl and his wife, Michele of Midlothian, VA; sister, Veronica Goldspiel and her husband, Alan of Montevallo, AL and his grandchildren: Vivian and Sylvia Buhl and Aiden and Eliza Bowen.

Mike’s Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Brunswick Funeral Service Chapel, 3479 Southport-Supply Road, Bolivia, NC with Anthony Nelson officiating.  Military honors will follow the service.  

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Mike’s memory to Lower Cape Fear Lifecare (1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 2840, website Lifecare.org/donate, 910-796-7900).