Paul G Wells

Paul was born August 1, 1937, to Paul R. Wells and Mildred (Goddard) Wells. He married Joann (Frank) Wells in 1965. They had 3 children, Mike, James and Shawna.

He spent his childhood growing up in the lower valley of Fruita, CO. He attended Fruita High School and graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1955. He worked for Western Slope Ford until entering the Army in 1960 as a Communication Specialist. He finished his military service as a Sargent E/5.

He moved to California and started teaching Auto Body & Collision Repair at Mt. San Jacinto Community College and received his Associates Arts degree. He then graduated from the University of Redlands with a bachelor’s degree in education. He developed student instruction film strips in Auto Body Repair & Painting and are in the Library of Congress. In 1978 he continued his teaching career at Mesa State College in Grand Junction, CO teaching Auto Body Collision Repair & Painting. He retired from Mesa State College in 1998. After retiring from teaching, he worked in his son and daughter-in-law’s ATV shop, All-Terrain Motorsports, repairing ATV’s.

Paul had a passion for repairing/restoring old vehicles and giving them a new life. He enjoyed passing that knowledge onto his students over the years. He was a country boy at heart. He enjoyed listening to old Country music, collecting western memorabilia and loved his horses. He also loved reading history & western novels and had a good sense of humor.

Paul is survived by his wife Joann of 57 years. Sons Mike (Karen), James (Jacki), daughter Shawna (Brian), 5 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, brother Dave Wells (Mary Jane), sisters Linda Maez, LeeAnn Bayne and Joanie Wells. His parents precede him in death along with 2 brother-in-laws.

A Memorial service at Elmwood Cemetery in Fruita, CO will be held on February 7th at 11:30 am. A special thank you to Dr. John Flanagan, St. Mary’s Hospital and Hope West. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Paul’s name to Hope West.