Paul Kent Tonks

1953 - 2023

Paul Kent Tonks
November 1, 1953 - January 14, 2023
Boise, Idaho - Paul Kent Tonks died January 14, 2023 in his home in Boise , Idaho due to kidney failure. He was born in Pocatello, Idaho on November 1, 1953 to Garland and Joyce Tonks, the third child and first son of seven children. His parents moved to Nampa, Idaho in 1958 on Shoshone Avenue. His father asked his children if they wanted to become city kids. They said no, so he moved his family to Airport road a few years later and bought all sorts of animals to teach the children responsibility. Paul fed the animals but did not like milking cows by hand and all the chores, irrigating, feeding, cleaning pens, and early morning chores. The care primarily fell on him and Steven (his younger brother) when his Dad was gone, and it happened often with his Dad's line of work. Paul attended school at Roosevelt Elementary and Parkside middle school in Nampa School District. He enjoyed baseball, football and cub scouts. In 1965 his family had outgrown their home and they moved to Blackcat road in Meridian. Paul attended Meridian High School. He participated in scouts, (earning the Life rank), in FFA, and in music. He enjoyed motorcycles and being in the outdoors. He joined the Marine Corp at age 17 in 1970 (ahead of his draft notice). He narrowly missed serving in Vietnam and was discharged 4 years later. He went to trade school for a while, studying mechanics. He met and married Tauna Kay Wright from Idaho Falls, Idaho on March 5, 1977. They lived in Idaho Falls for a while and then moved to Syracuse, Utah where Paul continued to work for the Union Pacific railroad. They were blessed with a son, Nathan Paul, in 1980. They later divorced, and Paul married Catherine Ann Schoenhut from Cascade, Idaho on May 19, 1990. They lived in Boise, Idaho throughout their marriage. Paul retired from the railroad and drove truck for Swift until his health declined. He took Cathy on a cruise, lots of camping trips and enjoyed his new side by side.
Paul is preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Linn (Kim Hansen) and Garla (Monty Rupp) and sister in law Leonora (Steven). He is survived by wife Cathy, his brothers Steven of Twin Falls, Idaho and Kale (Nita) of Pocatello, Idaho; his sisters Carole (Dave Irish) of Logan, Utah and Gail (Mike Taylor) of Boise, Idaho; his son Nathan (Cheryl) of Boise, Idaho and grandsons Mason and Brody.
Celebration of life will be on February 25, 2023, at the Ramada Inn at 3300 Vista Ave, Boise, ID, from 1 to 4 pm. Per Paul, casual dress is requested and if you would like to wear blue, that was his favorite color.
After the celebration those who wish can meet us around 5pm at the Vista Bar for a toast to Paul.
In lieu of flowers you may send donations to St Jude's Children Hospital