Paul Eugene Schoen's Obituary
January 21, 1943 to April 21, 2024 - Paul was raised in the Gresham area. In his younger years, he and his brother Tim worked for their father doing numerous types of farm work. Paul graduated from Gresham Union High School in 1961. Following graduation, he married Geraldine Jenkins and began working in Vancouver, Washington as a fork truck driver. Shortly thereafter, Paul began working for Fleming & Zandells delivering oil. Then in 1977 he began his career as a firefighter with the City of Gresham Fire Department. He had found his calling with a job he truly loved. He eventually retired from the fire department in 2000.
Paul enjoyed going on cruises and trips to Mexico and Hawaii with his second wife Gwen Rigert, whom he married in 1986. He always loved being in the sun. This would involve taking several trips with his daughters to Hawaii which were all memorable and appreciated. Including a significant trip in 2015 with the daughters, sons in laws, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
He liked to bow hunt for deer with his brother, as well as arrowhead hunting in Eastern Oregon. This blended well with his love of western themes and Native American culture. He also loved to go camping and taking weekend visits to the river.
Paul also had many other hobbies including teaching himself how to play the guitar which always included a song or two. You could always count on him for karaoke with friends and family. He enjoyed drawing and working with wood. From this, many frames as well as furniture were made for himself and others. His meticulous and perfectionist personality would also carry over into a well-kept house and yard.
Paul’s family includes: brother; Tim (Janet); 3 daughters; Kim Hunter-deceased (Marty), Paulet Anderson (Dave-deceased) and Stephanie Nichols (Noel); 7 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren with another one on the way; and Stepson; Trey Rigert.
A celebration of Paul’s life will be at 11:30 am. June 22, 2024, at Redeemer Lutheran Church 795 E Powell Blvd Gresham, OR. A reception to follow service at Redeemer.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Go Fund Me account: “gofund.me/c30f2acb”. Also, can search GoFundme website for “Paul Schoen’s Legacy: Donation to Gresham Fire Department”. Money will be used to support the firefighters.
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