Dr. Paul Misak Aijian

1917 - 2015

Dr. Paul Misak Aijian was born in Detroit, MI on September 20, 1917 and he went from this life to more life on Wednesday, May 13, 2015.

Paul received his B. A. from UCLA with a major in Philosophy, a minor in English Literature and Drama, and his teaching credential for grades K through Twelve. Next he earned a Bachelor of Divinity (1944) and a Masters in Sacred Theology (1947) from San Francisco Theological Seminary. He finished at USC earning a Ph. D in Philosophy (1950).

After serving churches in the San Joaquin Valley and LA areas, Paul accepted a position as head of the Department of English Language and Literature at BIOLA University in LA (1947-1952). He also taught Theology. More importantly, BIOLA is where he met his future wife, Arlys. Following a lengthy courtship of 6 months they were married on December 19, 1950.

From 1955-1963 Paul was pastor at St. John's Presbyterian Church in Long Beach, CA. In 1964 he reentered Academia teaching a year at Ole Miss and a year at North Central in Naperville, Ill. In 1966 he returned to California to serve as pastor at First Pres. of North Hollywood, which he held until he officially retired from pulpit ministry in 1982. While at No. Hollywood he got his license as a Marriage Family therapist in 1975 and he continued to practice as a therapist until shortly before he died. He continued to teach at the college and Doctorate levels for many years.

He is survived by his five children: Rachael Durley, Phil Aijian and wife Patti, David Bruce-Aijian and wife Chris, Becky Hughes and husband Gary, and Stephen and his fiancé Astrik; 8 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and a host of family and friends who loved him. He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Arlys, who entered heaven following her battle with Alzheimer's three months shy of their 60th wedding anniversary.

"Dad was a loving husband, dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa to us and many, many more. He was a loving and faithful follower of Jesus Christ. He walked humbly with God. Other than saying something good about Jesus, relationships were most important. If you were fortunate enough to know him, know that you were deeply loved and cared for. He was the Patriarch of the family; a Spirit filled man full of grace and wisdom. He will be greatly missed."

Services will be held at 1:00p.m.on Friday, June 12, 2015 at the First Presbyterian Church of Newhall, 24317 Newhall Ave., Newhall, CA 91321. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Dr. Paul Misak Aijian to the First Pres. Church of Newhall.

The Signal, May 30, 2015
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Published on signalscv.com May 30 to June 12, 2015