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Paul David Griffith, 35

Paul David Griffith, 35, passed away in his sleep on the morning of Saturday, May 27, 2017, in Coeur d’Alene. He leaves behind a sister, Melissa Moore; two nephews, Nathan and David Moore; brother-in-law Jeremy Moore; parents Daniel and Debra Griffith; grandfather Thomas Griffith; grandmother Marjorie Scheloske; uncles, aunts, cousins and hundreds of friends.

He was preceded in death by grandfather Albert Scheloske and grandmother Jean Griffith.

Paul was born in Pocatello on Dec. 11, 1981. He graduated from Pocatello High School. He enjoyed sports and competition. He wrestled and played baseball at Pocatello High School, as well as American Legion Baseball, and he was very sad when that all had to end.

After high school, Paul moved to Coeur d’Alene and attended North Idaho College. Later he studied environmental science at University of Idaho.

Paul was a hard worker. He worked as a painter, a handy-man and he had a great reputation as a flooring installer. People said when they were on a job with Paul, it did not seem like work. They say they will miss his skill and knowledge, but they will especially miss his humor and hearing him sing while he worked.

Paul loved southeast Idaho with the fishing, hunting and skiing opportunities, and he had many friends here. However, when he moved to North Idaho, it was love at first sight. He enjoyed many adventures up there and was looking forward to a float trip with friends on the Lochsa River in June.

He also fell in love with the people in North Idaho. He was a quiet and respectful person, but people were drawn to him.

Paul was amazingly generous as a small child. If you teased him that you liked something of his, he would give it to you wishing to see you happy rather than have something for himself. This was a characteristic he retained as an adult, and he helped many people. His generosity was a natural gift although he probably learned some good lessons while attending Sunday school at Trinity Episcopal Church in Pocatello where he was baptized. Whatever he learned, it helped sustain him through many trials, enabling him to sacrifice and do the right thing even when worldly wisdom might say he could not afford to.

Paul’s friends held a celebration of life party for him in Coeur d’Alene shortly after his passing. Many of his North Idaho friends were able to participate, and old friends traveled hundreds of miles to attend. They shared stories about his generosity, which was amazing, because he never achieved financial success. Several people said that he lifted them up when they were down and almost out. One lady said he even gave her the shoes off his feet to walk through the snow when she somehow got stranded with no shoes and called Paul for help. Somehow he made her believe that he would be fine walking barefoot in the snow.

One of Paul’s friends said that quality of life is more important than quantity. Though Paul is greatly missed, he had a high quality life based on the number of friends he had and the people he helped.

A memorial service for Paul will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 24, 2017, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Pocatello.

Visit Paul’s memorial and sign his online guest book at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.