Paul Charles Furgeson

Paul was born on September 9, 1956, in Ogden, Utah, to Janet and Jerold “Jerry” Furgeson. He grew up in North Ogden as the oldest grandchild, a title he thoroughly enjoyed, especially when it meant collecting as many as six Easter baskets every spring.

After graduating from Weber High School, Paul served in the South Carolina Columbia Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While serving his mission, he met the love of his life, Elizabeth Muir. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on September 7, 1978, and built a life centered on faith, family, laughter, and serving others.

Together they raised two daughters, KayKay (Bjordan) Banderas and Erin Furgeson. Later came the title Paul treasured most: Grandpa. His grandson, Jaxson, was the light of his life. Whether they were cheering for the Utes, spending time at the gun range, or simply enjoying each other’s company, those were Paul’s favorite days.

Paul spent much of his career serving the public through Hill Air Force Base, the Utah National Guard, and the Bureau of Land Management. Retirement didn’t last long. He soon returned to work at St. Mark’s Hospital as a mail courier, where he became known for his holiday hats, candy-filled pockets, and treating everyone, from the janitor to the CEO, with the same kindness, respect, and genuine interest.

Paul also loved working with his hands. Together, he and Elizabeth owned Furgeson’s Designs, creating handcrafted gifts, humorous signs, perpetual calendars, birdhouses, benches, silk-screened shirts, and countless woodworking projects. They spent years traveling to craft fairs throughout Utah.

Service wasn’t something Paul did. It was simply who he was. He served as a temple worker for 13 years, accepted many church callings, fed people experiencing homelessness, delivered food to neighbors, built Pinewood Derby cars, fixed whatever needed fixing, and was always the first to lend a hand. If Paul could help, he did.

For 42 years, Paul was simply Santa. Whether at church, Trolley Square, community events, or private homes, he brought joy to hundreds of children and families. Even after a stroke forced him to retire the red suit, people still asked about “their Santa.” To them, he wasn’t playing Santa. He was Santa.

Paul also bled crimson. He was a lifelong University of Utah fan, proudly held season tickets for 12 years, knew the fight song by heart, and loved giving BYU fans a hard time. Strangely, whenever Utah lost, his phone seemed to stop working until Monday. It only seems right that his final ride will be in a University of Utah red casket.

He loved Chinese food, family trips to Jackson Hole, watching "A Christmas Story," spoiling his beloved Maine Coon cat, Max, and spending time with the people he loved most. He never swore, believed a handshake still meant something, and measured success by how many lives he could brighten.

After facing many health challenges with courage and determination, Paul passed away peacefully at home on July 17, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Paul is survived by his loving wife, Elizabeth; his mother, Janet Furgeson; daughters KayKay (Bjordan) Banderas and Erin Furgeson; grandson Jaxson; sisters Jolene (Bruce) Fischer, Janalee (Steve) Lee, and Marilyn (Curtis) Hancock; sisters-in-law Suzanne Covington, Kathleen (Dean) Barnum, and Lisa (Brian) Hillman; brother-in-law David (Christine) Muir; his beloved cat, Max; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Jerold “Jerry” Furgeson; his parents-in-law, Wendell and Martha Muir; and his brother-in-law, Glade Covington.

Our family extends heartfelt thanks to the caregivers at Meadow Peak Rehabilitation, the compassionate team at True North Hospice, and the members of the Lakeridge 15th Ward. Thank you for every meal, every prayer, every visit, every act of service, and every kindness shown to Paul and our family. Your love carried us through more than you’ll ever know.

A viewing for family and friends will be held on Friday, July 31, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Valley View Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 4335 West 4100 South, West Valley City, Utah 84120.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 1, 2026, at the Washington Road Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7525 West Washington Road, Magna, Utah 84044. A viewing will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Valley View Memorial Cemetery, 4335 West 4100 South, West Valley City, Utah 84120.

If you’d like to honor Paul’s memory, learn someone’s name. Share a piece of candy. Cheer for the Utes. Help a neighbor. Feed someone who’s hungry. Leave things a little better than you found them. That’s exactly what Paul would have done.