Leslie Field Paul's Obituary
Leslie Field Paul, 79, of Huntsville, Utah, passed away in the early hours of the morning on August 14, 2024. He passed in the home he built, in the valley he loved.
Les was born on April 7, 1945, in the original McKay Dee Hospital in Ogden, Utah, to Arza and Alta Paul. As Arza’s fifth and youngest child and Alta’s first and only child, he was well loved by his parents, older siblings, and cousins.
Despite living across the street from Ogden High School, he was constantly surrounded by nature. Les and his father would visit the Ogden Valley nearly every Sunday throughout his childhood. Both of them fell in love with the beauty of the area. This time with his father was a big reason why he eventually chose the valley as his permanent home.
Les loved animals and plants so much that at one point, he even had a pet porcupine that he would take to bed with him. He never lost his love for animals and cared for many throughout his life, including parrots, dogs, and cats. Each pet held a special place in his heart.
When Les’ father passed away suddenly and unexpectedly while he was in junior high, he and his mother were left with many hardships. During high school, Les worked part time for Farr Better Ice Cream and JCPenney to help support his mother. He often spoke of how the trials they faced strengthened his faith in God.
After graduating from high school, he went on to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the British Southwest/British South New Mission from 1964 to 1966. He spoke fondly of his time in England, especially of fish and chips, and the moment he accidentally met JRR Tolkien.
Six months after returning from his mission, he was drafted into the army for the Vietnam war. He served in the army for three years and participated as a member of the Army Shooting Team.
After the army, he went to Weber State College to earn multiple Bachelor’s degrees: a double degree in History and Botany and a single degree in Zoology. Before he left school, he was working on Chemistry and Mathematics degrees.
Les met his future wife, Bella, through mutual friends when she visited Utah while living in New York City. After writing back and forth to one another for two years, he eventually worked up the courage to propose to her. They were married August 28, 1987, in the Salt Lake Temple and eventually had one daughter, Michelle.
Les was a remarkably intelligent and talented man. He used his skills to hold a variety of positions throughout his life. After his time in the army and in college in the early 70s, he worked for the LDS Ogden Temple Security for eight years under President Halverson. After that, he worked as a computer operator and programmer for UniWest for two years, and on the grounds and maintenance team at Brigadoon Apartment for one and a half years where his dear friend Jerry Hudgins was his boss.
He then worked for 10 years as a security guard at the U.S. Defense Depot in Ogden before he eventually landed a career as an Industrial Waste Chemist at Hill Air Force Base where he was also a member of the hazardous waste spill team. He worked hard at that job for 22 years to support his family until his retirement.
Throughout his life, he also held many callings in the church, including ward historian, Sunday School teacher, Sunday School president, home teacher, ward mission leader, stake missionary, and ward librarian with his wife. He was a proud member of the Mormon Historical Society and traveled with them, including general authorities, to various church sites.
Les was a man who radiated gratitude and warmth to all who met him. He was kind and caring and lived his beliefs by keeping $20 bills in his truck to give to the less fortunate. He also donated regularly to multiple charities, especially for those wounded in war, and for World War II veterans. He opened his home to several of his nieces and nephews and took over guardianship so they could go to school in the United States while their family lived overseas knowing this would open up opportunities for them which he believed everyone deserved.
In whatever he did, he tried to look for ways to help others, and despite all of his many trials, his life was a testament of the idea that no matter how difficult things might be, a little laughter could make all the difference. He was a good man, a good father, a good uncle, and a good friend, and the world is all the better for him having been in it.
There is so much to say about the life that Les lived and the man that he was, but there were three things that he wanted to be known for: his love of God, his love of country, and his deep dedication and love for his family.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Bella Paul; their daughter, Michelle Paul; his sister, Ina Young; the nieces and nephews who became his children, Jordan, Barbara, Carmelino, Nikki, Ezra, Gordon, Hannah, Isaac, Mimi, and Karissa Liau, and Sarah Mae Villarete Alano; and his adopted grandchildren, Theo, Ashira, and Kitana Curtis; Deysaree Ka’ala Mamuad; and Isabella and Marysel Alano.
A celebration of Les’ life will be held at 10:30 AM on August 20, 2024, at the Huntsville Stake Center. A viewing will be held from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM before the funeral. He will be interred in the Myers Evergreen Memorial Park in Ogden.
We will always miss him.
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