Obituary: Paul Wesley Irvin

Paul Wesley Irvin passed away July 22 at Greeley Medical Center at the age of 86. He was born Feb. 16, 1926, in Coin, Iowa to Wesley Irvin and Olive (Ollie) Irvin-Kelly. Paul graduated from college in Spring, Iowa in 1944.

In 1944, Paul married Betty Sproul. They had one daughter, Linda. He also joined the Navy in 1944. He was stationed at NRS Omaha, Neb.; NTS Farragut, Id.; RB Shoemaker, Calif.; USS Sheridan in the South Pacific. The Pacific Fleet Flagship, USS Missouri and the USS Sheridan saw the signing of the Peace Proclamation on Sept. 2, 1945. The USS Sheridan earned six battle stars and 2 stars for the Philippine Liberation.

Paul was Honorably Discharged from the Navy in 1946. He also received a Victory Medal. After Paul’s discharge, he worked heavy construction, building dikes along the Missouri River and also high line poles around Clarinda, Iowa.

Paul’s first marriage ended in 1946. In 1948 Paul met and married Mary Jeanne Arthur of New Market, Iowa. Two sons, Michael and Danny, were born. In 1951, Paul moved his family to Colorado, where daughter Robin was born.

Paul worked on the Brackenbury and Ackerman Ranches. In 1959 Paul went to work for the Colorado State Highway Department. He started in Wellington for the state and then moved to Livermore and continued to work for the state while building a bar and restaurant called the Hide-A-Way.

Paul retired from the State Highway Department in 1980. He moved to California where his wife and son, Michael were managing a business called Heber Auto Dismantlers.

Paul returned to Colorado after he separated from his second wife in 1982. Once back in Colorado he started working for Colorado Lien and worked there for 10 years.

Paul remarried in 1985 to Clara Trimble and lived east of Wellington for 10 years. Paul and Clara moved to Cody, Wyoming in 2000. They raised miniature horses and also went to shows with their miniature horses. Paul and Clara returned to Colorado in 2005. They have lived in Hereford for the past seven years.

Paul loved to fish and drive his John Deer Tractors, plus he insisted on having a garden every year.

Paul is survived by his wife, Clara of Hereford; two children, Michael Irvin of Ely, Nev., and Robin Daniels of Fort Collins; three step children, Steve Trimble of Burns, Wyo., Kathy Schrum of LaPorte and Marty Trimble of Fort Collins; nine grandchildren; three step grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and six great step grandchildren.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters; a brother in law; his daughter, Linda and son, Danny; and his second wife, Mary Jeanne.

Paul was a member of the American Legion Post #4 in LaPorte. He was a lifetime member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars Post #2673 in Cody.

A private service was held. Friends may send condolences to the family at bohlenderfuneralchapel.com.