Paul Bibler

Paul Bernard Bibler, a resident of Dallas, Oregon, passed into Heaven on Saturday, January 18th while in the Salem Hospital. Paul was born on November 22, 1970, in Salem, Oregon, to Bruce and Beverly Bibler. Paul attended schools in Dallas through the middle of his sophomore year. He then attended Liberty Gardens Christian School in South Salem before graduating from Pleasant Hill High School in 1989. Paul grew up going to church but met Jesus personally in 1986 after realizing he couldn't be lukewarm sitting on the fence. He found out that you could be a Christian and still have fun. Paul met his future wife at a youth event and told his parents he wanted to go to Sunday School. Dad asked, "What's her name?". Paul married Linda Green on May 19, 1990, at Faith Evangelical Free Church where he had been attending since 1985. He served as an usher and also taught a College age Sunday School class as well as being active in many other classes and activities. He attended Cultivate Community Church for the past three years where he continued to make friends as he did wherever he went. Paul had an incredible faith in God and was blessed to see a glimpse of heaven in December before taking up permanent residency this year.
Leadership qualities were evident early on when he was given the position as the graveyard shift foreman at the Jasper Planing Mill while he was still in high school. Paul worked in many different shops through the Local #16 Sheet Metal union from 1989 to 2005. He worked with many forms of metal from lightweight heating and air conditioning ductwork to exotic heavy metals. He thought that he was invincible working at great heights and tight spaces. He had an impressive mathematical brain and was able to lay out the design for the cupolas that grace the rooftops of the Woodburn outlet when his foreman and the computer could not. Paul fulfilled his lifelong wish to be a truck driver when he began driving a dump truck for Dave Dober Construction (Gales Creek) in 2005. He worked for Eddy Logging (Willamina) and Fallon Logging (Tillamook) before medically retiring in 2010. He enjoyed being out in the woods and driving big (loud and bright!) trucks. With such a big RV for all of the family camping trips, he just had to have his own Top Kick which reminded him of his log truck days. He turned many heads running errands in town with that beast!
Paul finally convinced Linda that a tractor would be a beneficial piece of equipment, and his tool collection expanded once more. He enjoyed helping others with their home landscape projects whenever something bigger than a shovel was required. Linda didn't have to work nearly as hard at home either when the tractor arrived!
He underwent over 50 surgeries throughout his 54 years with a good quality of life until a sepsis infection recently set in. He was the cat that used every one of his 9 lives to the fullest. Paul was determined to take care of his home and family even when his health declined and walking became a struggle.
Paul was diagnosed with a kidney disease in 1990, but a kidney transplant made possible by the gifting of his mother's kidney in October of 1994 served him well, and he exceeded his life goal to "get the girls through high school" by 14 years. These "extra" 14 years allowed him to witness some of his daughters' biggest life events (college graduation, marriage, settling into their own homes, having children, and more!) Paul was blessed with two grandchildren (Michael Paul and Melyssa Marie) who called him "Big Pa". He shared his love for Legos with the kiddos. Even through the day Paul went to the hospital in December 2024, he was putting Legos together and loving his lifelong hobby.
He was a great sport and nothing brought him down. Paul loved spending time with his family and friends, socializing, laughing and playing games. Regular game and popcorn nights, movie nights, camping trips, and home projects.
Many thanks to the nurses and techs at both the Davita and Fresenius Dialysis Clinics for their professional and courteous care. Paul was able to help many new patients and employees feel confident in the care received and given during his 12 years of dialysis. His naturally social disposition followed him even through his medical hardships. He brought optimism, perspective, and laughter to the lives of nurses, doctors, and patients around him wherever he went. He made his "disadvantage" into an advantage and utilized his time and experiences to formulate relationships with countless friends.
He is survived by his wife Linda, daughters, Christina (Bryan) Harmon, Rachel (Gary) Green, grandchildren Michael & Melyssa, father, Bruce Bibler, siblings, Glenda Scott, Rodney (Tracy) Poynor, RoxAnne (Sam) Baker and John Bibler, and mother-in-law DeAnn Kroeker. He was preceded in death by his mother Beverly Bibler in August of 2021, father-in-law Larry Green in September of 2017, and all four of his grandparents.
Funeral Services will be on Saturday, February 8th at 2:00 at Salt Creek Baptist Church. The Graveside service will be at 1:00 pm at Salt Creek Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to American Kidney Fund 11921 Rockville Pike, Ste. 300 Rockville MD 20852. To leave an online condolence or share a memory with the family go to www.BollmansTributeCenter.com. Bollman's Tribute Center is caring for the family.