Ross Barton ‘Bart’ Paul, 73, died suddenly on Sunday, July 26 while on a golf vacation in Klamath Falls, OR.
He was born to Waite and Marlea Paul in Turlock. He grew up throughout the central valley of California. He graduated from Oakdale High School in 1954. In 1957, he fell in love with and married Hazel Howell of Modesto.
Mr. Paul served in the Naval Reserve prior to beginning his career. After his service, he returned to Oakdale and eventually moved to Modesto, where he and his wife raised their family.
He worked as a truck driver for his father’s gasoline distributorship. In 1974, he took over the business from his father and became President of Paul Oil Company.
He was a member of the Oakdale Golf and Country Club, Sunrise Rotary, Masonic Summit Lodge #112 of Knights Ferry, and the Sunbird Golf Club in Chandler, AZ.
He semi-retired in 2004 with the purchase of a second home in Chandler, AZ. He loved his family and friends. He spent the last five years between homes playing golf, having barbecues, and an occasional pancake breakfast for his family.
He had a kind heart and a warm smile. Golf and travel were his passion, along with volunteering for Friends of Hospice and the Sunrise Rotary Club.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Hazel; son, Mark; daughter, Sherri (Ken) Murphy of Oakdale; and grandchildren, Kristin and Nicklaus Showalter of Turlock.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Marlea; and father, Waite.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 5 at Oakdale Christian Church, 330 Maxwell Ave., Oakdale.
Remembrances may be made to Community Hospice, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356; or to Masonic Summit Lodge #112 of Knights Ferry.
The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader
Aug. 5, 2009
