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Paul Vernon Church, 85
Paul Vernon Church, 85, passed away Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. He was born on March 20, 1933, in Zanesville, Ohio, the son of Howard and Anna (Sanderson) Church.
He was raised in Ohio and later moved to California with his parents. He worked for Lockheed and began his career in the lumber industry with Wickes Lumber. Also, during that time he attended Chaffey College. In 1970, he was hired by Tom Richards of Idaho Forest Industries to be general manager of Atlas Building Center, which was in front of Atlas Mill on Seltice Way.
In 1973, he was awarded ‘Boss of the Year’ by the Idaho Jaycees. He used his Dale Carnegie Training to interact with employees and family.
Atlas Building Center opened a new store in 1979, at the corner of Highway 95 and Kathleen Avenue. During Paul’s leadership, the company grew from seven employees to more than 100. Paul considered his employees, customers and friends an extension of his family.
He retired in 1995 and moved to Lewiston, Idaho, in 1998 with his wife, Carol. Paul enjoyed operating his backhoe, working in his shop and repairing and maintaining equipment for the farm. He enjoyed feeding the calves, spending time fishing with his dogs and napping with his cats.
For 11 years they traveled to Arizona for the winter, finding time to fish, read books, play cards, watch movies and make new friends. While in Arizona, he took-up the sport of bow fishing.
In 2011, they returned to Coeur d’Alene to be closer to family and friends.
Paul had many great memories from his fishing trips to Alaska with his children, grandchildren and friends. He had many fishing stories that he shared with everyone, from being the camp cook, organizer and best fisherman!
Paul loved life, loved family, telling jokes and stories. To know him was to love him. He was the patriarch of our family and will be greatly missed.
Paul is survived by Carol, his wife of 40 years; her sons Todd (Jackie) and Jason (Shaylah); Paul’s sons, Vernon (Martha) and David (Luana); and step-children, Dave Montgomery and Lisa Greenberg.
He is also survived by 14 grandchildren: Jerry, Nathan, Matthew, Brian, Eric, Sara, Landon, Noah, Zachary, Hudson, Elizabeth, D.J., Rochelle and Michael; and six great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, at Hospice of North Idaho Community Building, 2290 W. Prairie Ave., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Hospice of North Idaho.
Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Paul’s online memorial at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com and sign his guest book.