John Paulson

John Carl Paulson

Valley Springs

Jan. 1, 1941 - Jan. 25, 2014

John Carl Paulson passed away peacefully, at the age of 73, with his family surrounding him, on January 25th, 2014, after battling heart and lung disease.  He was born on January 1, 1941, in Omaha, Nebraska to loving parents Carl A. W. Paulson and Oma G. Lynch Paulson.  The family moved to California in 1952, and according to John it was the best move they could have made to leave the Nebraska weather.  In 1953 the family moved to Sunnyvale.  John attended Sunnyvale High School and graduated in 1959.   John proudly served in the Army from 1963-1964.  He attended Hartnell College and De Anza College, earning an AA, in the bay area as he worked for Lucky Stores.  He worked for New Century Beverages, later Pepsi Cola Bottling Company, as a driver and after attending Santa Clara University, earning his BA, worked himself up to Assistant Vice President, handling export Sales in the Pacific Rim and many sales responsibilities.  He had many wonderful opportunities with Pepsi, including travel to the Orient, Raider and A's season tickets, private jet to the Rose Bowl games (friends included),  traveled with the 49ers and best of all, got to take his wife to most of those events.  After retiring in 1988, he loved playing golf at Sequoia Country Club and worked as a Tax Preparer/Consultant/Realtor in San Leandro, until he and his wife Mary moved to Valley Springs after she retired in 2000.  John loved playing golf in Valley Springs, had four hole-in-ones throughout his life and also loved playing in Kauai, his favorite vacation spot.  He was actively involved in the Community United Methodist Church as financial chairman and enjoyed his bible study group. He was quite the pianist, took piano lessons for many years and performed in local recitals as one of the few "elder" performers amongst the many youngsters.

John is preceded in death by his father and mother Carl and Oma Paulson.  He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Mary Elizabeth Paulson, his brothers Eric Paulson (Carol), and Keith Paulson (Claire), daughter Kelley Jo Hawks, son Kevin John Paulson (Andrea) and daughter Kelly Marie Helsing (Al).  He was a loving grandfather to grandchildren Markella Mitsue Ho, Emily Page Paulson and Kylen John Helsing.  He is also survived by his loving aunt Rose Paulson and cousins, Denny Martin (Colleen), Joyce Cain (Mort), George Paulson, Linda Anderson and Eddie Martin.  He also is survived by many loving nieces and nephews and friends.

The family would like to extend a sincere and heartfelt 'thank you' to all those who prayed and supported the family during John's illness.  In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution is asked to choose a charity close to your heart.  His family would like to thank the skilled and caring doctors, nurses and staff at both Mark Twain Hospital in San Andreas and Mercy San Juan Hospital in Sacramento.