Paul Murray Fletcher

Paul Murray Fletcher was a man for whom actions would speak louder than words. His life motto might well have been “if it isn’t logical, it’s not important.” The qualities of being fair, just and the ability to recognize what was right were clearly driving forces in Paul’s life. Paul was modest in his actions and extremely literal in his thoughts and in the manner in which he communicated with others. When Paul said something, he meant it. All those who knew him appreciated this trademark quality.

Paul was born on February 21, 1919 at home in Milwaukie, Oregon. His parents were John and Zuby Fletcher. Paul was raised in Milwaukie and Portland, Oregon. Even as a small child, Paul wanted to understand what was right and what was wrong in any given situation. As Paul grew older, he realized the importance of being treated fairly, and in return, he treated everyone around him the same way.

During his childhood, family and friends viewed Paul as a quiet and reserved person with what most would consider a calm and tranquil demeanor. In fact, he was a fairly curious child who had the ability to entertain himself and didn’t require much in the way of outside stimulation. A great deal of Paul’s free time was spent learning how and why the things around him worked. He was an active child who loved being outdoors and absorbing all the sensory input that nature could provide. He took part in cross country, track and swimming. In his spare time he liked fishing.

This same loyalty and up front honesty Paul shared with his friends carried over to other aspects of his life, including his relationships with his family. On April 13, 1947, Paul exchanged wedding vows with Betty Jean Tracy in Portland, Oregon. The marriage became a solid relationship. He was a great listener who enjoyed the couple’s “together” time, especially when it came to celebrating special occasions.

As the family grew, Paul was easily able to adapt to the changes and challenges of parenthood. Paul was blessed with three children, Stephen (Skip), Roxanne, and Sandy. Paul was never impulsive in dealing with family problems. Instead, he would carefully think things through before implementing the solution in a logical and objective manner. Paul was a strong, clear communicator who excelled at eliminating confusion by making matters crystal clear to all those involved.

In his work life, Paul was the kind of person who had no difficulty in taking on a project and seeing it through to its completion. For Paul, being able to grasp the logical components of any task was significant to him in appreciating its importance. His primary occupation was as a mechanic/ machinist. He was employed for 30 years by G. I. Joe's. Paul always made the effort to be a team player, doing what was necessary in order to get the job done.

Paul was an Army veteran. He understood his duty to serve his country and the importance of getting a job done. He was comfortable with the routines of the military and even liked them to some degree, especially when it came to grasping the clear instructions and guidelines he was expected to follow. He was an Aerial Gunner in Squadron I, 3014th AAF Base Unit. Through his hard work and dedication, he achieved the rank of Aviation Cadet.

Paul’s curious and inquisitive nature influenced his choice of leisure pursuits as well. He particularly enjoyed the “alone” time his hobbies provided. His favorite pursuits were fishing, crabbing, hunting, tinkering in his workshop, and playing the organ.

Paul had the ability to stay calm and the determination to do what was necessary to get the job finished, traits that helped him enjoy sports. Paul was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed following his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were Portland Trail Blazers basketball, PGA golf, and tennis.

If Paul believed in a cause or an idea, he was willing to work hard on its behalf. Paul was a member of several community groups, including serving on committees for the Elks.

Paul appreciated the occasions when he was able to travel and get away on a vacation. He enjoyed learning about different locales and was open to exploring new and different places. Favorite vacation spots included trips to the Oregon Coast and Alaskan cruises.

As his retirement approached, Paul viewed the event as just one more project to research and solve. So, when the day finally arrived in 1988, he was well prepared. His new life involved relocating to Tigard, Oregon.

Paul passed away on June 29, 2010 at Farmington Square Retirement Community in Tualatin, Oregon. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Betty Jean; son, Stephen; daughters, Roxanne and Sandy; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Services were held at 10:00 am, Friday, July 2, 2010 in Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home. Paul was laid to rest in Lincoln Memorial Park.

Paul strongly believed that talk is cheap. He was the type of person who would show others his feelings through his actions. He was practical and realistic but was able to be flexible when the need arose. He had a curiosity about the things around him and tried to experience life directly rather than sit back and talk about it. The experiences he treasured most were those he shared with his loved ones. Paul Murray Fletcher will be greatly missed.