Paul Medina, 80, of Price, Utah, left this earth on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 in his home with his wife of 62 years by his side, after a courageous battle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Paul was born in Monero, New Mexico January 25, 1944 to Alfred and Josephine Medina. Paul spent most of his childhood with his beloved great-grandmother, Pilar, before attending school where he had yet to learn English and required a note to be pinned to his jacket stating so. He met and married his high school sweetheart, Bobbie June Romero, before joining the Army in 1961. After leaving the military, Paul received a degree in accounting at the College of Eastern Utah, which meant he became the family tax accountant for many years.
Paul worked many different jobs in his long career, from the airline industry (although, he eventually completely abstained from flying, which meant twelve-hour long road trips – with him never letting anyone else touch the wheel), to becoming a drywall finisher, where he met many close friends. He retired in 2003. Paul then spent his free time almost entirely with his grandchildren and helping those he loved with any task he could think of.
To know Paul was to love Paul. Although this is often cited when remembering our loved ones, it was particularly true with Paul. He held firm in his belief that every person, regardless of status or identity, deserved love, respect, and kindness. Paul sought no glory or thanks for his profound ability to showcase this trait. His presence in a room brought warmth and comfort in the form of a cup of coffee or an anecdote that was difficult to decipher as fact or fiction. Paul’s greatest joy in life was his children and grandchildren. Teaching many of us to drive (a terrifying feat, bless him), weekly calls to check in and remind you that he loved you, and teasing each of us in a way that only Grandpa could.
Paul loved being outdoors, particularly fishing and camping with his family. Fitness gave him immense joy, up until the last years of his life, he spent every moment he could in the home gym he built himself. He adored his wife, and he adored antagonizing his wife. Paul often called Bobbie by whatever made up name he chose that particular day (honey bunches of oats being a fan favorite). While extremely grateful for the love and care she provided in their home, he chose to express this by egging her on any chance he had, with a sly smile on his face, in true Paul fashion. Although we all saw Paul as the biggest and toughest man on the planet, he was also the softest. He would pull you into a big bear hug and be sure to tell you he loved you five times over before you left his home or ended a phone call. A quote I think resonates with anyone who loved him is, “How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard?” We were so lucky to have such an incredible man and influence in our lives, with a heart of gold, and filled with relentless honor, integrity, and loyalty. We find peace in knowing he is no longer struggling, but will continue to feel the void left by losing our greatest cheerleader.
Paul is survived by his beloved wife, Bobbie; siblings, Rosalie and Candido (Louise); boys, Paul (Cori), Bobby (LeeAnn), Nickie, and Sam; grandchildren, Zachary, Trevor, Aundria, Brandon, Nickolas, Lucas, Ella, Chazlie, Carson, Garrick, Mckenzie; and great-grandchildren, Elias and Audrey.
Paul was preceded in death by his father, Alfred; mother, Josephine; stepfather, Joe; sister, Pauline; and brother, Alfred.
A memorial service will be held in Paul’s honor on November 2, 2024, from noon-4:00 p.m. at Notre Dame Hope Center located at 210 N Carbon Ave, Price, Utah 84501. Paul chose to be cremated, and in honoring that wish, we were able to give an extended timeline for all those who wish to attend and honor his life.
Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories of Paul online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net