No headline

Paul Dean Taylor, 84

Paul Dean Taylor was born Dec. 19, 1934, and passed away April 8, 2019, due to complications of COPD and CHF, at his home with family at his side.

Paul was born the oldest of four brothers to Joseph and Pauline Taylor in Modesto, Calif. He spent the better part of his younger years on the family ranch growing fruit in the San Joaquin Valley of California. He was raised in the Baptist Faith and maintained his beliefs throughout his life.

He loved America and proudly served her as a member of the USMC, achieving the rank of corporal during the Korean War. He learned skills and disciplines that would serve him well for the rest of his life. After contracting rheumatic fever and receiving an honorable disability discharge, he continued his life of service with the U.S. Department of Forestry in California, fighting fires and educating the public, sometimes dressed up as Smokey the Bear.

During this time, Paul and his first wife, Martha, welcomed four children: Patricia, Brian, Michele and Joseph (Dean). After his union with Martha ended, Paul, with his four children in tow, met and married Vickie (Keough) on May 2, 1970. Together they added a daughter, Kristina, to the family.

After leaving the Forestry Department he provided a home for his family by working hard in a variety of endeavors, ranging from working in a tungsten mine, operating heavy machinery in a rock quarry, repairing business machines, owning and operating a general store, supervising a landscaping company, and working with a road maintenance crew. His favorite, however, was always working in the outdoors.

Paul was an avid outdoorsman and loved fishing and hunting. He also had a profound interest in exploring and rock hounding. While living in Rapid City, S.D., he was a member of the local gem and mineral club and spent many happy hours on field trips hunting for the elusive “Fairburn Agate.” He developed a love for gems and thoughtfully created custom jewelry, which he gave as gifts to family and friends. He also developed a skill in creating beautiful stained-glass pieces. Together with Vickie, they enjoyed discovering and appreciating the beauty of antiques and collectibles and participated in various markets and social events. Among their many adventures, they were campground hosts and avid RVers.

Paul was known for his playful and boisterous sense of humor and no one was exempt from his teasing. He had an infectious, hearty laugh and a certain twinkle in his eye. He always seemed to find ways to have fun even if there was none apparent. “Hockey puck!!” became a go-to phrase and “Ralph” was the name he called you if his memory temporarily failed him. Family continued to be his greatest source of happiness. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren arrived and added to that joy. During later years he enjoyed giving back to his community through volunteer service at the Snohomish Washington Food Bank. He enjoyed helping others and lending a hand whenever he could.

Paul was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Joseph (Mike). Remaining behind to celebrate and remember Paul’s life are his wife, Vickie; daughters, Patricia (Randy) Hoople, Michele (Tim) Regehr, Kristina (Tommy) Parker; sons, Brian and Dean; grandchildren, Melinda (Kevin) Michaud, Kathleen (Alex) Espinoza, Sara (Jason) Ho, Greg (Alana) Regehr, Sureyah (his “Cambodian grandson”), Owen Parker, Brian, Shawn and Joshua Taylor; great-grandchildren, Tristan, Jade and Evaya; brothers, Frank (Kay), and Bobby (Karen); his beloved, Kyna and many other friends and relatives.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 17, 2019, at Yates Funeral Home – Coeur d’Alene Chapel, 744 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814. A graveside service with Military Honors will follow the memorial service at 1:30 p.m. at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery, 21702 W. Espanola Road, Medical Lake, WA 99022.

Yates Funeral Home is entrusted with final arrangements. Please visit Paul’s online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.