Paul L. Medina, 75, a great husband and father of two, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, July 30, 2011. He was born April 6, 1936 in Edinburgh, Texas to Pablo and Berta Medina. His family moved to Avondale, Arizona in 1942.
He served 30 years in the United States Navy, retiring as Master Chief. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 5 Stars, China Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Commendation-Gallantry Cross, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, and the Sixth Good Conduct Medal.
Paul lived in Japan for 20 years where he met his wife Reiko. He loved to play golf and watch his favorite team the Diamond Backs. He enjoyed grilling, gambling going to horse races and dog races. He was a renaissance man who held his family, including his extended family as his highest regard. Legendarily, he once re routed a unit he was commanding in Vietnam so that he could meet up with his nephew Dave who was serving in another unit. Five years ago, when he and his wife were preparing to leave Arizona to spend their last few years with his daughters in Virginia, the family had a beautiful going away party for him where the best kind of final memories were made.
Paul is survived by his wife, Reiko, his daughters Amy Frydenlund and Jun Stewart, his sisters Nela Leija and Lupe Schneider, 4 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, and a galaxy of nephews, nieces, great nephews and great nieces. He will live forever in their hearts. He was preceded in death by his parents Pablo and Berta Medina of Avondale, AZ, his brother Felix Medina, his sisters Tomasita Medina, Julia Reyna, and Anita Sandoval.
A Military Honors service will be held at 3:00pm Saturday, September 17, 2011 at Thompson’s Valley West Funeral Chapel, 926 S. Litchfield Rd., Goodyear, AZ. Friends and family are invited to gather at the funeral home by 2:00pm previous to the beginning of the service. Burial was August 19 at Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, Virginia.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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