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Paul James Clare
Obituary
PAUL JAMES CLARE
March 2, 1928 ~ March 6, 2016
Paul will always be remembered by most for his
often-dry sense of humor and wit; with his compassion for others often shinning though even in dark times. Many friends and family will miss Paul.
Paul was born in Rice Lake, Wisconsin to Hans and Josie Clare. He grew up in Bayfield, Wisconsin (of which he had the fondest of memories and returned to many times over the years to see old childhood friends). Later in his teens he moved, with his parents, to Los Angeles where he graduated high school in 1945 from Long Beach Poly High School. Drafted into the U.S. Army in 1946, he was trained at Ft. Sam Huston, Brook Army Med. in Texas, crossing the Atlantic to serve in West Germany as an U.S. Army lab tech from March 1947 to 1949 in and around Nuremberg and Heidelberg.
After returning to the U.S., Paul enrolled at USC, married Louise Clark Aug. 27, 1949. He graduated USC in 1952 with BS and MS microbiology; attended OSU PhD Corvallis program 1954 and 1955; took classes at UW Seattle. He then worked for the King County Health Dept. and then Washington State Health Dept. in Seattle 1956.
His son Jeff was born in 1957.
Paul was hired by Lucky Lager (General Brewing Corp.). He spent 13 years at Lucky from 1956 to 1969, leaving their employment as a Brew Master to return to school. He graduated Reed College with a Master in Teaching Arts 1970. Paul started to teach at Portland's Adams High School as an intern 1969 and spent 1970 to 1974 as a teacher at Adams High School and achieved a counseling certificate from PSU in 1974. Paul started counseling at Adams High School and continued until Adams High School was closed in 1981. Paul then moved to Ockley Green Middle School as a counselor from 1981 to 1986 and then to Jefferson High School in 1986 until retirement from the Portland School District in 1988.
Paul had a long interest in the outdoors and helped to found three outdoor groups in Vancouver, the Ptarmigans, the Loo Wit chapter Sierra club and the Chinook Trail Association. Paul and his family spent many days hiking, backpacking and camping in and around the NW. He also spent time in the Master Gardeners program in Clark County and continued to take classes at Clark Community College on a number of subjects.
Paul also was a co-founder of Recovery North West alcohol and drug treatment, also served ten years on the Columbia River Mental Health board. He was a member of board of trustees of Michael Servetus Unitarian Fellowship and was a member since 1964.
Paul always enjoyed new experiences and learning; and delighted in sharing that knowledge gained with others.
Volunteering was always part of Paul's life and he always tried to find time for it, if asked, he was willing to help if he could with many activities; like testify before a House Committee for the North Cascades NP, trail building, church, Share House, or the Democratic Party. Until Parkinson's slowed him down, Paul stayed very active until the last six months of life.
Paul is survived by Louise, his wife of 66 years; his son, Jeff; sisters, Joyce and Lois; sister-in-law, Annie; too many nieces and nephews to list; as well a great many grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Lynn and Kenneth.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, April 9, 2016, 2:00 p.m. at Michael Servetus Unitarian Fellowship, 4505 E 18th Street, Vancouver, Washington 98661. Please RSVP to 360-694-4803 in the form of a message, so we have an idea of how many may attend.
Please sign his guestbook at www.columbian.com/obits
Published in The Columbian on Mar. 13, 2016 |
