Varnum Paul

PAUL, Varnum September 22, 1908-October 1, 2008. Passed away peacefully at his home in San Francisco with his daughter Karen Kondazian and dear friends by his side. Varnum is survived by his daughter of Los Angeles, a niece and several nephews and a large circle of close and loving friends. He is predeceased by his wife, Lillian Mosesian Paul, his brother S. Barre Paul, M.D. and sister Frances Paul Lyons. Varnum was born in Lynn, Massachusetts on Sept. 22,1908 to Bedros and Elmas Boghosian. He had four sibblings: S. Barre Paul M.D., Francis, Charley, and Haig and three half sibblings Paul, Jack, and Sateneg. Varnum was the youngest. His father Bedros sold horse shoes in Kharpert, Armenia and later became a shoe maker when he and his family arrived in America. Varnum grew up on a ranch in Fresno and graduated from High School there. Later he graduated from UC Berkeley BA 1930 and then received his law degree, School of Jurisprudence,1933, Boalt Hall. He worked 2 jobs to get through college... in the library and busing food in a girl's sorority. He joined Delta Theta Phi Fraternity at UC Berkeley. Varnum was admitted to the California State Bar in 1933 and became a member of the S.F. Bar Association, American Bar Association and Director S.F. Bar Association 1959-1961. He became a partner in the law offices Vaughan, Paul and Lyons. After the death of partner Reginald Vaughan, he and his late partner John G. Lyons were partners for over 50 years in the same office in the same building....the Mills Tower at 220 Bush Street, San Francisco. Varnum Paul is the longest tenant in the Mills Tower building. Varnum became a Professor and Lecturer in Law, Torts and Evidence at Golden Gate Law College, SF (1938-1970) Varnum joined mission Masonic Lodge in 1937 and was a member for 71 years. He was on the Board of the Mission Masonic Lodge in SF and former General Council for Masonic Lodges and Masonic Homes of Northern California. He was a past Director of Heald College and also has been for many years an active member of the Rotary Club helping with legal issues. In September 2008, he received a plaque from the California State Bar Association congratulating him upon completion of his practicing 75 years of law in California. Varnum joined the SF Olympic Club in 1935. He was on their Board of Directors, Secretary, 1980-82, on their Legal Committee (1967), Chairman of the Legal Committee (1968) Also he was on the Olympic Club House Activities, Admissions and Properties Committees. Varnum also was on the Olympic Club Masters Swimming Program and winner of the Senior Back Stroke at the age of 89. During World War II, Varnum became a Lt. Commander, U.S. Naval Reserve 1942-1946.He was stationed on the Aleutian Islands. Varnum and Richard Nixon first met and worked together at the Alameda Naval Air Station. Nixon had been serving as a Naval Officer in the South Pacific and Varnum as a Naval Officer in the Aleutians during the War... While stationed in Alameda, they worked together on special legal matters for the Navy and became good friends. Following this, they were assigned to the New York City office of Naval Affairs where they again worked closely on legal matters for the Navy. Nixon then asked Varnum to be his roommate. (officers shared quarters at this posting) Over the years they maintained their friendship and when Nixon became Vice President under Eisenhower, he invited Varnum and Lillian Paul, his wife and Karen, his daughter to the White House for a private visit and took them on a private tour of the White House. Varnum married Lillian Mosesian Kondazian March 5, 1954. (She was a teacher before their marriage and got her Masters Degree in Armenian Studies at the age of 76 during their marriage) During those 51 years of marriage, they traveled the world together and took many extraordinary cruises.... Lillian passed away on March 26, 2005.... Their daughter Karen Kondazian, is a theater, TV and film actress and published writer...Varnum has contributed to the Armenian Western Diocese Church, along with his late brother Dr. S. Barre Paul, the Paul Brothers Rotunda in the Western Diocese Church in Glendale,a 6 million dollar contribution for the Diocese and for his church St. John's Apostolic Church in San Francisco. He was the attorney for both churches, helping in many legal areas, including purchasing the church property... Under his mother and sisters name (Elmas Paul and Frances Paul Lyons) he made a contribution to the Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance (ADAA), facilitated by the Western Diocese, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, for a yearly contest of $10,000.00 for the best screenplay with an Armenian theme. There is also a yearly drawing at Easter in his wife's name, Lillian Paul, for a free trip to Armenia for one member of the St. John's Armenian Church in SF. The Armenian Pope (the Catholicos) presented Varnum with the highest religious honor one can receive in the Armenian Church.... the St. Gregory Metal. On his birthday, September 22, 2008, he received a letter from President Bush congratulating him and wishing him Happy Birthday and was honored for his 100 years on Willard Scott's NBC Today Show. Varnum Paul, until his stroke on September 12th (10 days before his 100th birthday) was still actively practicing law, going to his office 5 full days a week. Visitation was held on Sunday, October 5, at Halsted N. Gray-Carew & English, was followed by Sunday Evening Vesper Services, at St. John's Armenian Church and Funeral Services were held on Monday, October 6, was followed by a Hoki-josh in the Church Hall. A private committal service was held at Cypress Lawn Memorial Park, Colma. In lieu of flowers, contributions in honor of Varnum Paul may be sent to St. John's Armenian Church or the National Parkinson's Foundation, 1501 NW 9th Ave.,/Bob Hope Rd., Miami, FL 33136-1494