Gila County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a drowning at Fossil Creek.
Sheriff's spokesperson Tricia Thomas said they received a 911 call about a drowning in the popular “toilet bowl” swimming area at Fossil Creek Thursday morning.
Pine-Strawberry Rescue crews assembled at the trailhead to the creek, authorities said. An Arizona DPS helicopter was also requested and flew a GCSO dive team to the area where the drowning was reported.
After a search of that swimming area, the dive team located a body at the bottom of the creek, GCSO said.
Thomas said the victim has been identified as of 62-year-old Ronald Henry of Phoenix and the death is been investigated by GCSO.
Henry served the U.S. Navy for 26 years and retired at the rank of Lieutenant Commander, his family said.
"It reminds me that you can always start on the bottom and work your way up and be proud of what you do," said Henry's son, Neil Henry. "He's someone I try to aspire to be."
Henry is described by his family as "a man who loved nature and adventures."
"That's just what he liked to do, he liked being outside. It was his zen," Neil said.
Henry is survived by his wife, one son and three granddaughters.
"He ended up passing away doing something he loved to do," Neil said.
The sheriff's office says three people have drowned in the toilet bowl swimming area since 2016.