Paul Denton Arnold

Paul was born in Oregon City, Oregon on February 6, 1948 to Paul and Joyce Arnold. He grew up in Oregon City, Gladstone, and The Dalles, Oregon, and a few short summer days in Arizona (Way too hot!). He was an only child and with both parents employed he became independent at an early age.

Paul always had an abundance of energy and a drive within himself. He started working as a paperboy at age 12 and never stopped working. He mowed lawns, had a creepy job involving chickens (We won’t go into that), bucked hay bales, swept the floors at a factory, was a busboy at restaurants, did ski equipment sales, and worked on a green chain at a saw mill just to name a few of the jobs during his youth.

He paid his own way and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Oregon and finished at Portland State University. He hadn’t found his career choice so he painted houses and later worked at A.B. Dick Company, a copier manufacturer for a short time. Paul was approached in 1976 by a family member to manage his uncle’s business after his uncle’s unexpected passing. The name of the company was called Data Supply Corporation. It was the start of the technology era which was unfamiliar to him. So he entered the office with anticipation and just had to wing it. He retired June of 2021 after 45 years at the same company which he had renamed Willamette Data Supply, Inc.

His passion was sports. At Clackamas High School he lettered in football. He became a skilled pool player and won many tournaments in Oregon and Washington. He took up snow skiing in his early 20’s and eventually became a ski instructor at Mt. Hood. Paul played racquetball for over 40 years with a group that stayed together after gyms would come and go. I think he had as much fun teasing his partners as playing the game. He played a few racquetball tournaments at the Multnomah Athletic Club. Paul took up golf so he could be active as he aged. He loved playing with his group of buddies and thrived at the challenge of the game for over 30 years.

In 1979 at a chance meeting Paul met me, his future wife Patti, in the apartment complex laundry room where we both lived. (I know, romantic right?) We were older and both had been waiting for the one we couldn’t live without. We had finally found it. Our love story was amazing. We had two precious daughters, Stacy and Michelle, which he loved dearly. Our love and respect continued to grow and we knew we had been made for each other. We were together 44 years with 39 of those years married. I never met a man that fulfilled my dreams as he did. Paul was the love of my life and someday we will be together forever.

Paul is survived by his wife Patti of Keizer; his daughter, son-in-law, and grandson, Stacy and John Hofmann and James of Keizer; his daughter and son-in-law, Michelle and Tristan Hunter of Portland.

The family suggests memorial gifts to be made to Paul’s nonprofit hospice care. Willamette Vital Health, 1015 3rd St NW, Salem, OR 97304. (503.588.3600)