Born of Swedish descent in the Scandanavian neighborhood of Ballard in Seattle, Paul's family moved to Palo Alto in 1968, with Paul starting Jordan in the 8th grade. He was raised by loving and kind parents, devoutly Jehovah's Witnesses. Paul did not opt to follow the faith. His family kept a summer home in Washington at Lake Chelan, which Paul would love to return to over the years. Paul lived a contented bachelor's life in Palo Alto, living simply. He worked at the Gatehouse restaurant and then for many years up to his death at Mike's Cafe in Midtown. He owned a condo in Palo Alto which was filled with his many pieces of art, both collected and painted by Paul, sporadically and inspirationally, amazing in their range of styles, Paul having had no training. He would buy, enjoy and replace eclectic and very nice cars. My favorite- what I always guessed was the only Rolls Royce in the world with a Harley-Davidson decal. July 2011 Paul died in his sleep of undiagnosed diverticulitis. He was preceded in death by a brother, Steve (1968). He was survived by his father Wally & mother Bonnie (perhaps remembered for her many years working at the Cheese House), sister Nancy, brother Gary and their children, over whom Uncle Paul constantly and lovingly doted.
Daniel Lucas
Born of Swedish descent in the Scandanavian neighborhood of Ballard in Seattle, Paul's family moved to Palo Alto in 1968, with Paul starting Jordan in the 8th grade. He was raised by loving and kind parents, devoutly Jehovah's Witnesses. Paul did not opt to follow the faith. His family kept a summer home in Washington at Lake Chelan, which Paul would love to return to over the years. Paul lived a contented bachelor's life in Palo Alto, living simply. He worked at the Gatehouse restaurant and then for many years up to his death at Mike's Cafe in Midtown. He owned a condo in Palo Alto which was filled with his many pieces of art, both collected and painted by Paul, sporadically and inspirationally, amazing in their range of styles, Paul having had no training. He would buy, enjoy and replace eclectic and very nice cars. My favorite- what I always guessed was the only Rolls Royce in the world with a Harley-Davidson decal. July 2011 Paul died in his sleep of undiagnosed diverticulitis. He was preceded in death by a brother, Steve (1968). He was survived by his father Wally & mother Bonnie (perhaps remembered for her many years working at the Cheese House), sister Nancy, brother Gary and their children, over whom Uncle Paul constantly and lovingly doted.
David Jones
Hello Paul,
I was so sad when I heard you had passed a few years ago...
We started talking about 2000 as you worked at Mike's Cafe near my home
mid-town Palo Alto.
When I was a "volunteer" assistant coach Paly High wrestling team Oct-March season and summers 1994-2004,
I would host at Mike's the Seniors for their private Senior "end of season dinner", or my famous
(LOL) Pre Season team Captain/Leaders dinner, or Summer Team Captain dinner.
You were always wonderful and would serve me a class of wine or two on the side to calm my nerves so
I could get along with those clunk heads and motivate them LOL. You and I often laughed about that..
My favorite story with you was: I arrived at Mike's very early and was just hanging.
Mike's was still not really open for dinner yet, so we chatted as you were setting up. I mentioned I owned a home around
the corner from Mike's and I believe you had just purchased your condo over by the
old "dive bar" on El Camino "The Islander" (LOL & long owned by a retired Paly Football coach of 1970s!!)...
You were a little startled regarding my home ownership and said to me; "How Can You Afford A Home
In Palo Alto?".... I explained with a long 2 minute diatribe, of my saving, scrimping, and other
financial efforts in long flowing detail to you as I was proud, it was a goal, and I had accomplished it.
Then you said, Well how much do you earn selling paint? I replied, something like
WTF (LOL), Selling Paint? Your response was;
Dave, I thought you are a Spray Can Paint Manufacturer's Rep, I always see you going into
Penninsula Hardware right next door with cans of spray paint!!!! Lordy, I howled with laughter at that...
And Explained: Uhhhh Paul. My home, outside window shutters, outdoor furniture, railings here
and there, all I own in life is held together or painted with Spray Paint. I have a continuous home
maintaince job of quarterly doing such to maintain the vision I have a nice, neat, pretty home.
Its all Smoke, Mirrors, and Spray paint. AND!!! I carry the empty cans around in my car till I get in
the hardware store cause I can never rememeber what I need due to my pea brain memory skills:----)
OH MY, your face of astonishment, then complete belly laughter, we even startled the Mike's hostesses
as we both started jaw dropping laughing semi insanely... Remember it like yesterday my friend LOL....
I then made sure, for the next few years, to wave at you with a can of spray paint in my hands!!
I miss you and your taking care of me at Mike's and when we would pass on the
Palo Alto streets :------(
Sincerely
David