Paul Eugene Morford passed away at his home surrounded by family Dec. 5, 2010 after a brief battle with liver cancer. He was 77 years old.
Paul was born Oct. 11, 1933 in Missoula, Mont., and grew up in Spokane. He served in the U.S. Army Infantry and was a very proud WSU Cougar alumnus, where he met and married the love of his life, Carol. He received his civil engineering degree from WSU in 1959.
Paul began his career as a bridge engineer with the Washington State Highway Department and then worked for Boeing as a facilities construction manager for 15 years. His work moved the family throughout the U.S. from South Dakota, to Seattle, to Nebraska to Utah, where he and Carol first learned to snow ski. In Alabama, he worked on the Saturn space program. In 1965 the family moved to Kent, where he was a construction manager for the construction of the Boeing Space Center. In 1976 Paul and his partners Tom Sharp and Bill Dinsdale began DMS Construction, and they built many homes, apartments and commercial buildings in Kent and the surrounding area.
He served as a volunteer and advocate for the Boy Scouts of America for many years and all three of his sons earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He served on various committees and was active in the City of Kent and always made sure his opinions were known to make the community better.
Paul and his family were avid skiers, and he organized annual ski trips that were treasured family time together. He and Carol were active members of the Des Moines Yacht Club and they spent many weeks on their boat with friends. Carol and he were able to travel all over the world and had many adventures with close friends. He also loved his woods and tractors. Mostly though he was a wonderful husband, father, and friend constantly looking for ways to help those close to him. He was able to say that he had the perfect life.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Carol, sister Myrna Millick of Spokane, and children Ron (Ann), Dale, Gary (Tammie) and Janet, 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Paul was able to enjoy a “going away” party a few weeks prior to his death with a great many friends and family at his home. A private memorial will be held at Tahoma National Cemetery where Paul will be interred.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that any donations be made to the Morford Family Scholarship Fund at WSU, or the Green River Community College Foundation.
This obituary is from Yahn & Son Funeral Home and Crematory. You can visit the funeral home’s Web site to view the obituary, and to view and sign an electronic guestbook for Mr. Morford.
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