Paul William Upthegrove, 68
Paul William Upthegrove, 68, was born Nov. 10, 1942, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and grew up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He passed away Oct. 27, 2011, in Coeur d'Alene.
He joined the Canadian Army for two years after graduating high school. His adventurous spirit soon took him to the U.S. where he joined the United States Marine Corps and went to Vietnam in 1965 with the first Marines to land on Vietnamese soil. He earned a Bronze Star there, and then completed his service as a Military Policeman in Camp Pendleton, Calif.
After his discharge he returned to Saskatoon to attend university, but his U.S. military service alienated him from many students who did not understand the Vietnam War. In 1968, he married Patricia Finnie in Saskatoon. They eventually moved to the U.S. where Paul joined the U.S. Army and attended OCS at Fort Benning, Ga. After special communications training at Fort Monmouth, N.J., the young lieutenant and his wife were posted to Fort Hood, Texas.
Due to health issues related to Vietnam, Paul retired in 1973 from the Army and moved to Jarrell, Texas, to raise Arabian horses. Their two daughters, Jamie-Linda and Catherine Joanne were born in Texas. Paul was Chief of Police of Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, during which time he got his master's degree in psychology. Paul explored several career options over the years, but his deteriorating health inhibited progress. The family eventually settled in Idaho in 1992. His ongoing battles with Agent Orange effects led him to a wheel chair.
Throughout Paul's life he never ceased to be a whimsical soul whose sense of humor was without limits. His charisma was legendary. He could desensitize the most difficult of situations with cleverness that disarmed even the most melancholy of people. No subject was taboo, yet he remained sensitive and thoughtful. His own illnesses were often his favorite topic of ridicule. Everyone loved to spend time with Paul.
Paul will be remembered for his pride in the United States Marine Corps, his childlike love for Disney World, his always delightful sense of humor and his devotion to his beloved service dog, Gunner.
He was predeceased by his parents, Edway and Joanne, in Saskatoon; and by his wife, Pat, in 2009.
He is survived by his daughter, Jamie-Linda of Fort Worth, Texas; his daughter, Cathy, who was his loyal caregiver, of Coeur d'Alene; his sister, Joan Hampton of Springfield, Mo.; a nephew, several nieces and great-nephews and nieces.
Memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. today, Nov. 2, 2011, in St. Joan of Arc Chapel, 773 N. 11th St., with full military honors.
Please sign Paul's guest registry and view his online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.