Paul Hart of Colfax passed away March 20, 2012 at the Whitman Hospital. He was 88. A Memorial Service will be held Monday, March 26th at 11:00 am at Peace Lutheran Church in Colfax. He will be interred at a later date at the Pinecrest Cemetery in Sandpoint, Idaho. Paul was born October 10, 1923 in Sandpoint to Marshall D. "Bill" and Lucinda (Klippenger) Hart. He grew up around Sandpoint and graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1941. A short time later Paul enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served during World War II as a radio operator. Part of his tour of duty also included time in Okinawa before being honorably discharged in 1945. He returned to Sandpoint where he married his sweetheart, Emily Erickson, November 3, 1946. Paul worked briefly for the Cady & Pier Ford Dealership in Sandpoint before moving to Alaska in 1948. He was a heavy equipment operator for a coal mine near Fairbanks until 1955 when they returned home and settled on Emily's family's farm in the Selle area near Sandpoint. Paul worked for many years as a lumber truck driver and also kept busy with their small farm, raising cattle and hay. Emily worked as a credit manager at the Co-op in town and kept busy as a wife and mother. Paul loved his hobby farm but also enjoyed his family and spending time with them. They would often take "Sunday" drives into the mountains. He loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter, especially for elk. He liked to go hiking, loved huckleberry picking and had taught himself to ski; loving to go to Schweitzer Mountain. When his son played ball, Paul helped coach the little league team. He was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Sandpoint and a member of the Selle Grange. Paul later went to work for the McFarland Pole Company and retired from there in 1985. He and Emily liked to travel in their RV and they were snow-birds for many years to the Arizona communities of Mesa and Apache Junction. Paul liked to golf and was a bit of a pool shark as well. He has many trophies from a pool league in Arizona that attest to his skill. They moved to Colfax about twelve years ago to be closer to family and grandchildren. They have resided at the Hill-Ray Plaza since that time and have also found a comfortable fit at Peace Lutheran Church in Colfax. Paul made many friends at the Colfax Golf & Country Club where he loved to golf and visit. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Emily, at their home in Colfax; two children, Polly and husband Kent Jones of Kenmore, WA and Daniel and wife Becky Hart, Colfax; three grandchildren, D.J., Traci and Jay Paul. He was preceded in death by older brothers Claude and Clarence. The family suggests memorial gifts be made to Peace Lutheran Church, the COAST bus in Colfax or to Gritman Adult Day Center in Moscow. On-line guest book is at www.bruningfuneralhome.com
Bruning Funeral Home of Colfax is caring for the family.