February 25, 1961- January 22, 2026
Paul managed to pack a lot of life between those two dates above. He was born in Burbank, California and had an incredible free range childhood in the sunshine of So-Cal. His family’s life centered around model airplane races and they caravanned across the country to compete.
He stayed in California to earn his bachelor’s degree at California State University, Northridge in 1982 and was appointed Second Lieutenant in the Air Force. He then began pilot training in the T-37 and T-38 at Reese AFB in Lubbock, Texas. It was there he was presented with the “Academic Ace” and “Distinguished Graduate” awards upon graduation in 1983. He then went on to complete F-16 training at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida where he received the “Air To Ground Top Gun” award. From there he was stationed at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, Nevada where he was assigned to fly F-16’s in the 429th Tactical Fighter Squadron and was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. In 1989, Paul completed the Adversary Tactics Instructor course and was serving his country as an Aggressor Pilot - one of the most select groups of professional military aviators. While there he was promoted to the rank of Captain and received the “Air Force Achievement” medal for outstanding achievement as well as several other meritorious awards.
After separating from the Air Force in January 1990 he began his career as a commercial pilot for Southwest Airlines flying Boeing 737’s. He adored his job as it gave him the opportunity to pursue his favorite hobby of traveling as well as the free time to do all the other things he loved-woodworking, dirt bike riding, golfing, playing tennis, hiking and attending concerts. He also fulfilled his dream to design and build a custom home for his family which he achieved in the summer of 1998. Sadly, his career as a pilot with Southwest Airlines ended in May of 2011 when he received a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease. He was determined, though, to never let that slow him down from enjoying family, friends and life and it didn’t- right up to the end.
He leaves behind a devastated and heartbroken wife, children and grandchildren as well as many other family members and friends. There is a hole in all our hearts that can never be filled. He leaves behind memories of the smile that was always on his face and the fierce determination that surrounded him. He leaves behind a legacy of helping others always but especially in his passing as an organ donor where he saved three stranger’s lives as he lost his.
For those that knew and loved him you can honor him by sipping a martini while listening to some great music and laughing with family and friends because he always considered that to be the perfect evening. (Bonus points if there’s a fire pit involved).
Forever loved. Forever missed.
Paul managed to pack a lot of life between those two dates above. He was born in Burbank, California and had an incredible free range childhood in the sunshine of So-Cal. His family’s life centered around model airplane races and they caravanned across the country to compete.
He stayed in California to earn his bachelor’s degree at California State University, Northridge in 1982 and was appointed Second Lieutenant in the Air Force. He then began pilot training in the T-37 and T-38 at Reese AFB in Lubbock, Texas. It was there he was presented with the “Academic Ace” and “Distinguished Graduate” awards upon graduation in 1983. He then went on to complete F-16 training at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida where he received the “Air To Ground Top Gun” award. From there he was stationed at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, Nevada where he was assigned to fly F-16’s in the 429th Tactical Fighter Squadron and was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. In 1989, Paul completed the Adversary Tactics Instructor course and was serving his country as an Aggressor Pilot - one of the most select groups of professional military aviators. While there he was promoted to the rank of Captain and received the “Air Force Achievement” medal for outstanding achievement as well as several other meritorious awards.
After separating from the Air Force in January 1990 he began his career as a commercial pilot for Southwest Airlines flying Boeing 737’s. He adored his job as it gave him the opportunity to pursue his favorite hobby of traveling as well as the free time to do all the other things he loved-woodworking, dirt bike riding, golfing, playing tennis, hiking and attending concerts. He also fulfilled his dream to design and build a custom home for his family which he achieved in the summer of 1998. Sadly, his career as a pilot with Southwest Airlines ended in May of 2011 when he received a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease. He was determined, though, to never let that slow him down from enjoying family, friends and life and it didn’t- right up to the end.
He leaves behind a devastated and heartbroken wife, children and grandchildren as well as many other family members and friends. There is a hole in all our hearts that can never be filled. He leaves behind memories of the smile that was always on his face and the fierce determination that surrounded him. He leaves behind a legacy of helping others always but especially in his passing as an organ donor where he saved three stranger’s lives as he lost his.
For those that knew and loved him you can honor him by sipping a martini while listening to some great music and laughing with family and friends because he always considered that to be the perfect evening. (Bonus points if there’s a fire pit involved).
Forever loved. Forever missed.
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