Paul Jerome Farrell

Paul Jerome Farrell was born in Bellingham, Washington on December 22, 1934, the second oldest of six children of Dr. Charles and Sarah Fay Farrell. His warm heart finally gave out on July 21, 2023 in Salem, Oregon at age 88, the day before his granddaughter Abby’s wedding.

Paul graduated from Bellingham High School in 1953, where he was President of YMCA's Hi-Y Leadership Club and lettered in football. A proud Husky, he graduated from the University of Washington in 1957 with a BA in Business Administration. He was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity and received an ROTC commission. After college, Paul served in the US Army at Ft. Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, and was active in the US Army Reserve for 33 years, retiring as a full Colonel. Among his awards were the Meritorious Service Medal and the Legion of Merit. After his active duty in the Army, Paul began a successful career at Texaco in Seattle, holding several managerial positions in Washington, California, and Oregon, including his final role as Northwest Division Manager. In 1978, rather than accept a promotion outside the Pacific Northwest, Paul joined Merritt Truax, Inc. in Salem, where he had a rewarding second career, retiring in 2005 as Vice President of Pacific Pride Services.

Paul married Leona Waterhouse on August 30, 1959 on Kauai, Hawaii. Together, they raised two sons, Michael and David. Paul and Leona shared nearly 64 inseparable years together, attending many of their sons' and grandchildren's sporting and performance events. They traveled the world, visiting all 50 states and seven continents. He felt especially connected to Leona's birthplace of Kauai. He was a voracious reader and one of his favorite activities was basking in the Kauai sun with the latest best-seller. Paul was a member of the Downtown Salem Rotary, Illahe Hills Country Club, and Queen of Peace church. He loved playing golf and tennis, working out, and volunteering for Meals on Wheels and various Rotarian projects. He was especially proud to have made two hole-in-ones at Illahe and jumping out of an airplane on his 80th birthday with his granddaughter. Paul loved people, always greeting them with curiosity and a big smile. He never met a stranger with whom he could not find some commonality and connection. He was a world-class conversationalist and had a thoughtful knack for remembering and inquiring about any details shared in previous conversations. His foremost values were working hard and love of family, priorities that he instilled in both of his sons.

Paul is survived by the love of his life, Leona of Salem, his son Mike and daughter-in-law Katie of Wilsonville, his son David and partner Stephanie of Seattle; granddaughters Taylor, Abby, Hannah, and Chloe and grandson Connor. He also left his brother Charles of Bellingham, sister Kay of Bellingham, sister Margaret of Melba, Idaho, sister Frances of Tsawwassen, BC, and sister Ann of Bellingham. He lived a full, rewarding, and exemplary life and will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family suggests making a donation to either the Salem Rotary Foundation or Marion Polk Food Share.

A celebration of Paul's life will be held at Illahe Hills Country Club in Salem on Friday August 18th 2023 at 11:30am.