Paul Wilson, 90

Paul A. Wilson, 90, died peacefully on Aug. 11, 2016, at the Hospice House in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, following complications of liver cancer. He was born in Missoula, Mont., on March 10, 1926, to Carl and Magdalen (Stoll) Wilson, and joined older brother Joe.

Paul spent his early childhood in Bonner, Mont., near Missoula, where his father ran the cookhouse at the ACM Lumber Company, and the family lived above the kitchen and dining room. His mother died when Paul was 4 and the two young Wilson boys helped their father run the cookhouse, including serving the night shift crew of 50 lumber workers. The boys also found time for plenty of childhood fun, running through the mill site, playing on logs in the river, and befriending the horses. Paul’s father died when he was 11, at which time the brothers moved to Osburn, Idaho, to live with their aunt, uncle and cousin. The house was too small for a family of five, and soon the young boys set about building a log cabin in the backyard, which served as their living quarters throughout their teenage years.

Paul graduated from Our Lady of Lourdes Academy in Wallace, Idaho, at age 17 and immediately enlisted in the Navy, serving from 1943-1947. Following boot camp at Farragut NTS, Paul headed to the South Pacific. He was assigned to a SeaBee Company, which was a demolition/maintenance unit attached to the Army units during World War II, and he was involved in invasions from New Guinea to the Philippines. The company was in Manila preparing for the invasion of Japan when the war ended. To complete his enlistment, Paul was assigned to a Navy tanker that made many trips from the Persian Gulf, delivering oil to ships in Japan and the Philippines. These wartime experiences around the world created Paul’s lifelong interest in ships, planes and military operations.

After discharge from the Navy, Paul returned to Osburn and worked underground at the Bunker Hill mine in Kellogg until he started smoke jumping in Missoula in the summer of 1950. That fall, because he was in the Navy reserve, he was recalled for the Korean War. He was sent to the atomic tests at Eniwetok in the South Pacific and was discharged in November 1951. Upon his return to the states, Paul worked as a smokejumper in the summer and a miner in the winter, until 1953, when he received his permanent assignment with the Forest Service and began a long, enjoyable career.

In the summer of 1950, Paul’s aunt asked him to deliver a gift to a friend in Missoula. When he made that delivery, he also met the friend’s daughter, Mary Lou, and that turned into the perfect lifetime match. Paul and Mary Lou Hamblet were married on April 19, 1954, in Missoula, and he continued his work as a smokejumper. As Paul accepted promotions, the family moved to various towns within the St. Joe and Coeur d’Alene National Forests. In 1957, the Wilsons transferred to Clarkia, Idaho, where Paul was an alternate ranger (later renamed fire control officer). He transferred to Avery, Idaho, in 1959, again as a fire control officer. In 1963, Paul was transferred to St. Maries, Idaho, as the fire dispatcher, and in 1967 he transferred to Coeur d’Alene as forest dispatcher and aviation officer. Paul retired in 1980 with 32 years of service, but was called back several times to help during busy fire seasons.

After his retirement, Paul and Mary Lou served together as volunteer hosts at the Lochsa Historical Ranger Station one week every summer for 20 years. Paul’s knowledge of, and interest in, the national forests made him the perfect volunteer for the Smokejumper Association Trail Crews and “Passport in Time” summer programs, where he assisted with the restoration of many trails, old buildings and lookout towers in both Montana and Idaho. His years of service and experiences with the Forest Service led to many entertaining stories through the years.

One of the first things Paul did in retirement was take up running, becoming a familiar site around town as he trained for his races. He turned a basement bedroom into his “running room,” with race numbers, medals and trophies lining the walls. Paul’s many runs included Bloomsday, the Bare Buns Fun Run, the Over-the-Dam Run at Coulee Dam, as well as several marathons. He also ran the 34-mile “Let’s Climb a Mountain” to the top of Mount Spokane, the 50-mile LeGriz along the Hungry Horse reservoir in western Montana, and the 29-mile Yosemite Envirothon (at elevations up to 9,800 feet).

Among Paul’s many activities over the years were PTA president, Scoutmaster, Assistant Scout Master at the National Boy Scout Jamboree at Farragut in 1969, Eagle Scout Review Board member, Girl Scout Senior Troop adviser, Parish Council member, family cookie baker, avid gardener, “Mr. Fix It,” and woodworker. For a number of years he held his private pilot’s license. He was a regular volunteer at the St. Pius funeral dinners and he and Mary Lou went together on five mission trips to Mexico with the local Methodist Church. He joined the local Paint with Care campaign and was an active volunteer with the Kootenai Medical Center auxiliary for many years. He was a regular blood donor and was proud of his “Fifteen Gallon” award. With encouragement from his son, Pat, Paul’s latest interest was geocaching and he had located a total of 709 caches — several just the week before his death. Paul was a Life Member of the VFW and served for years with the local color guard. He received the Silver Beaver award for distinguished service to youth from the Idaho Panhandle Council of Boy Scouts and was very proud of his four children’s involvement in scouting.

For Paul’s 75th birthday, his children gave him a tandem parachute jump. He loved it, but after having 44 solo jumps in his Forest Service career, he grumbled a bit about having “training wheels” (being attached to the instructor)! He went on to do “three generation” jumps with each of his two oldest grandsons and their dads. Paul’s last jump was at age 85.

Family was very important to Paul. His father emigrated to the United States from Sweden prior to World War I and Paul enjoyed a close connection with his Swedish cousins throughout his lifetime. His mother’s family came to Montana from Wisconsin and he had many good memories from his early years with those aunts, uncles and cousins.

Paul is survived by his wife, Mary Lou; sons Mike (Carol) of Coeur d’Alene, Pat (Sandy) of Bozeman, Mont., and Bernie (Kathy) of San Diego, Calif.; and daughter Mollie Beckler (Ben) of Burbank, Calif. Additional family members include: sister-in-law Donna Powell (Jerry); cousins Elaine Drews and Rosemarie Phillips (Don); grandchildren Angie Vandenbark (Justin), Paul M. Wilson (Sarah), Christian Beckler, Carlee Beckler, Jack Wilson and Mike Wilson; great-grandchildren Hailey and Brooke Vandenbark, and Cody Wilson; plus four special nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Ann Wilson; and daughter-in-law Tincy Wilson.

Paul’s example of living a full, meaningful life and the dignity with which he left us are great and lasting gifts. He was devoted to his family and was sincerely interested in others; he served his country, church and community; he entertained and educated us with a lifetime of stories; and his love and humility will remain forever in our hearts.

Sincere appreciation is extended to Paul’s local caregivers, as well as to Fr. Roger LaChance, who provided unending care and friendship to the Wilson family. A special thank you to the staff at Hospice House for giving Paul the opportunity to truly enjoy the company of his family and friends during his final days.

Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016, at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Coeur d’Alene, ending with military rites at the Columbarium behind the church. A luncheon for friends and family will immediately follow in the parish hall. The family would be grateful to have friends write up a favorite memory/story about Paul and bring it to the service, or email it to: paulwilsonmemories@gmail.com.

Memorial donations to any of the following organizations would be welcome: Hospice House, 9493 N. Government Way, Hayden, ID 83835; St. Pius X Catholic Church, 625 E. Haycraft Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815; or St. Vincent de Paul, 201 E. Harrison, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814.

Visit Paul’s online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.