Paul H. Tatz

1935 - 2018

Paul H. Tatz

Peoria - Paul H. Tatz, age 82, died surrounded by family at his home in Peoria, Arizona on Thursday June 7, 2018. Plans for services are currently pending.

Paul was born June 24, 1935 in Des Moines, Iowa to Simon and Esther (Ofstein) Tatz. He grew up in Des Moines and graduated from Roosevelt High School. Paul proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1954 through 1956 and was deployed to Korea. He returned to Iowa and studied Business Administration and Management at the University of Iowa before graduating third in his class (behind his two best friends) at Drake University Law School in 1962. He was ultimately licensed to practice law in four different states. Paul worked in various capacities throughout his long and successful career, including spending many years as General Counsel and/or CEO for four NYSE listed companies and many other smaller ventures. He lived in Iowa, Illinois, Michigan and California before settling in Arizona in 1981.

Paul loved many sports and was a lifelong fan of the Chicago Bears and St. Louis (baseball) Cardinals. But his most passionate pursuit was golf. Paul played many of the world's most famous courses, and his position as CEO for Del Webb Communities, Inc. in the 1980's gave him the opportunity to play in Pro-Ams with many famous celebrities and professional golfers. Paul's outgoing personality and charm led to many lifelong friendships. Paul had a great sense of humor and a zest for life that was enjoyed by all.

He is survived by his four children John (Jeni) Tatz of Peoria, AZ, Jennifer (Pat) McGinn of Chandler, AZ, Steve (Lisa) Tatz of Urbandale, Iowa, and Suzy Tatz (John Korp) of Peoria, AZ; his 16 grandchildren, step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchild; his sister Cookie (Myron) Lazar of Omaha, NE and his niece Amy Lazar Gleason. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Trinity Mason.