Paul David Taylor

Paul, a lifelong Seattleite, was born August 6, 1941 at Swedish hospital (or perhaps under a rock, as his parents used to tell him) to George K. and Marie B. (Stennes) Taylor. Paul graduated from Roosevelt High School in ‘59. He met Carole Mitchell at church, and they began dating shortly after high school, marrying in August of 1963.

Paul was studying pharmacy at the UW but decided to take matters into his own hands rather than risk the draft and enlisted in the Army at age 22. He shipped over to France, missing the birth of his first daughter, Debbie.

After his return from France, Paul completed a degree in Business from the UW. After earning his degree, he worked for McKesson & Robbins. He switched to federal service when he got a job with the Navy’s Supervisor of Shipbuilding. Paul wore many hats – all of them ball caps – during his thirty years on site in Bremerton, Seattle, and finally Everett. He retired in June of 2000 as the Security/IT Division Program Manager.

On the home front, Paul was hard at work as well, adding daughter Paula and sons Scott and Mark to keep Debbie company. The epitome of a quiet, unassuming patriarch, Paul ensured his family was never in want and his six-decade love affair with Carole was a wonder to behold. Paul was very proud of his children and grandchildren and their contributions to the world.

In retirement, Paul was a prolific reader and spent time keeping on top of yard work at both his home and the family cabin on Lake Tapps. He was also a devoted Husky season ticket holder for decades, rain or shine. But most of all, he enjoyed being surrounded by his extended family. Paul made anyone feel like part of his family.

Paul’s gift for gab was legendary, relentlessly honing his skills at lunches with his brother George, and passing those skills on to his four children. And he kept his sense of humor while fighting cancer, cracking jokes to the end and beyond. He’s likely filibustering the angels at this very moment.

Paul leaves behind Carole – the love of his life and wife of 60 years; daughters Debbie Hochwalt (Joe), Paula Busch (Bruce) and sons, Scott and Mark Taylor (Erin); grandchildren Evan (Claire Bedsworth) and Spencer Hochwalt, Jackson and Connor Busch, and Maia and Drew Taylor; brothers George (Josie) and Richard (Lois-deceased) Taylor, sister-in-law Joan Bohn (Phil), nieces, nephews, and a large extended family.