Harry Bilek Paulson Jr.

Harry was born on September 14th, 1940 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Harry and Eleanore Paulson. He attended Hamline University in addition to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Harry was an engineer for the state of Minnesota for 11 years. In 1971, having the courage to set aside a promising civil engineering career, he moved his young family to Phoenix, Arizona in pursuit of his dreams.

Harry was an avid outdoorsman. He had an immense fondness for animals, and he combined his two favorite hobbies to create extraordinary art in taxidermy. He founded, owned and operated several ventures for over 40 years, including Mountain Valley Taxidermy and Mountain Valley School of Taxidermy (one of the very first in the world). He owned and operated Mountain Valley Custom Leathers. He owned, as well as published, The American Taxidermist Magazine. Harry launched careers, mentored and made life long friendships with hundreds of his students. Harry was a trailblazer and innovator in the Taxidermy industry, his work was known nationally as well as globally. He was a founding member of The Arizona Taxidermy Association as well as a founding director in the National Taxidermy Association. Harry’s talent and dedication was admired not only by clients, friends and family: In July of 2021, Harry was inducted into the National Taxidermy Hall of Fame in recognition of a lifetime of outstanding contributions to the Taxidermy industry and Achievements in Advancing the Art. He was an avid music lover and a collector of Elvis memorabilia. He was known for his love of Jesus Christ, his patriotism, a true historian, his quick wit, his infectious smile, and his kind and compassionate spirit. Harry was perhaps best known for the love, adoration and devotion he had for his wife, Carol and his family, this was the true success story of his life.

Harry was preceded in death by his father Harry Sr., his mother Eleanore, his first wife, Kaye and his granddaughter, Meagan. He is survived and his spirit is carried on by his beloved wife, Carol Ann, his six children, Jeffrey, Thomas, Julie, Tamira, Jennifer, Theresa and his grandchildren, Angela, Jeff, Ben, Nathan, Nicole, Ashley, Austin, Tianna ,Tommy, Brock, Xavier, Avia, Robert, Ava, Troy, Baillee, Kayelyn, and Bela, and many loved friends and family too numerous to list but not forgotten.

A celebration of Harry’s life will be held on November 15th, 2021, at Paradise Memorial Gardens 9300 E. Shea Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ at 2 o’clock p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial donation to one of the charities supported by Harry listed below.

The American Diabetes Association www.diabetes.org (800)342-2383

The American Cancer Society www.cancer.org (800)227-2345