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Paul Anderson McElyea

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Birth	:	12 May 1942 Arkansas, USA
Death	:	14 Oct 2016 Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington, USA
Burial	:	Fir Lane Memorial Park, Spanaway, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate	:	47.0970650, -122.4196014
Description	:	Probably the hardest thing I've ever been asked to do in my life..... I did the eulogy at my father's funeral.... Thank you all for being here today. To see so many people who loved Dad and want to be here to say goodbye to him is just incredible. Paul Anderson McElyea. What did you call him? Dad? Pops? Papa? Uncle Paul? Paul? Brother? Friend? Neighbor? Something else? He was called so many things by so many people. I was lucky enough to be his SON and he was DAD to me and my many siblings. Dad was born to my grandparents Arthur... Read More	Probably the hardest thing I've ever been asked to do in my life..... I did the eulogy at my father's funeral.... Thank you all for being here today. To see so many people who loved Dad and want to be here to say goodbye to him is just incredible. Paul Anderson McElyea. What did you call him? Dad? Pops? Papa? Uncle Paul? Paul? Brother? Friend? Neighbor? Something else? He was called so many things by so many people. I was lucky enough to be his SON and he was DAD to me and my many siblings. Dad was born to my grandparents Arthur and Mary McElyea, in Marked Tree, Arkansas on May 12th, 1942. He was delivered at home on Railroad Street by our gr-grandmother, Mary Estella Watts. He grew up in Marked Tree and Memphis, TN before moving to San Diego in the early 1950's. Survived by his children; Harold, Sherrie, Pauline, Kellie, Danny, Kristy, Brandi, Tami, Shane, Tiffany, Jonathan, and Shannon. His siblings JoAnn, Glenda, Danny, Paula, Colleen, MaryAnn, Sylvia, Rosendo, and Ralph. The void created by the sudden death of someone as beloved as Dad is still hard to grasp. He was someone we took for granted would be around for much longer. His laughs, his yelling, his help … I can still see his smile and middle finger. It is an odd thing, speaking at the funeral of the man that has served as the narrator of your life. In the hours and days since his death, I feel as if I've lost my words. I suppose it's because he was the person that provided me with so many of them. So many times over the past few days, as we've struggled or hurt or hoped, I've thought, I should ask Dad. He'd show me what to do. I was lucky enough to be raised in this fun, exciting, close-knit family and I quickly learned why family is the fabric of life. Dad was keenly aware that close family, when given a chance to explore and create together, will forge special bonds FOR LIFE. He adored us all and encouraged this constantly. From hiking Mount Rainier in our matching red and black plaid shirts to swimming in Alder Lake, from roasting a whole pig in the ground to thanksgiving dinner, from teaching us to ride a bike to teaching us to drive, from teaching us to walk to teaching us to twerk, from giving you a wet willy to a warm heartfelt hug goodbye. He always took us along and shared what he knew. This was where we learned from him, out in the fields and woods of Washington. He understood the importance of being outdoors and passing on knowledge from the land. All you had to do was show some interest and his face would light up and he would start talking your head off. Even a daily, seemingly mundane topic was something he could discuss at length until you found yourself 30 minutes late for whatever it is you were doing. "Thanks! But I really gotta run now!" These interactions were valued equally by Dad. He sincerely wanted to know how your day was going and if he could help in any way. This is uncommon in our "busy-busy" culture nowadays, but he knew these moments were the gold nuggets of life. My father never let another person down. He fulfilled every obligation he ever undertook. His word was his bond, and everyone knew it. I never heard him utter a lie, nor intentionally deceive. My father was self-made and self-reliant. From his education to his career, from his skill with every kind of tool that could fashion wood or metal, my Dad engaged with the world as a man who would be its master. My dad. For me, He is cowboy boots and dancing with my mom. He is a thermos full of hot coffee on a cold winter morning. He is biscuits and gravy and John Wayne. He is a Bruce Lee movie and Eddie and the Cruisers. He is laughing until you lose your breath and tickling you until you pee your pants. He is a papa to his grandchildren. The giver of big hugs and even bigger smiles. He is a road trip to San Diego where I learned that family bonds are stronger than anything else on earth and listening to the same song for 24 hours straight will drive you insane (knock 3 times on the…). He is hard work ethic and a stern supporter. He's the bring you a new coffee pot because yours is broken, he's the make a friendship with anyone you deal with, He's the dinner bell ringing to let us all know dinner was ready, He is jeans and a jean jacket, He is getting up at 4am to feed the animals no matter how cold it is outside, He is our father… He is the man that taught me how to be a man. Dad - The Caregiver · Father of 14 kids: · Harold, Donise, Pauline, Sherrie, Jody, Kellie, Danny, Kristy, Brandi, Tami, Shane, Tiffany, Jonathan, Shannon · Papa to so many grand children and great grandchildren. · Husband to Donna (His Queen) Dad - The Teacher · How to fix anything · How to show love and respect · How to be kind and honest · How to live in the moment My father gave his children a parting gift. He waited for all of us to show up before he passed, to be sure his children would be there to comfort each other when his time came. The last words I was blessed to be able to share with him as I caressed his hand before he died were the same words we said to each other when we finished our phone calls. I love you. He showed strength and love right up until his last days with us. He made us promise to give the nurses at the hospital brownies, which we did and how he made sure his family was fed while in the waiting room. I hope that one day, when I die, my children can look back, tell funny stories about me, and talk about how I loved them and their mother. Then, like my father, I will have led a complete life. Farewell, Pops. You did good. You did real good. We miss him. Because he's not there to care for us. Because he's not there to teach us. Because he's not there to argue with. Because he's not there to be in the outdoors with. Because he's not there to drink a cup of coffee with. Because he's not there to laugh with. Because he's not there….. No, now he's somewhere else, with his humdinger. And now they get to laugh and dance together for eternity. Jonathan Carey (son)

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Paul Anderson McElyea's memorial?
Paul Anderson McElyea's memorial is located at: Fir Lane Memorial Park, Spanaway, Pierce County, USA.
When did Paul Anderson McElyea death?
Paul Anderson McElyea death on 14 Oct 2016 in Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Paul Anderson McElyea's memorial?
Latitude: 47.0970650
Longitude: -122.4196014

Family Members:

Parent

Spouse

Donna Patricia Cook McElyea

(1941 - 2005)

Siblings

Children

Jody Lyn McElyea

(1966 - 2004)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Fir Lane Memorial Park
Spanaway, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.0970650, -122.4196014

2. Spanaway Cemetery
Spanaway, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.0972140, -122.4313720

3. Trinity Lutheran Cemetery
Tacoma, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.1329600, -122.4211120

4. Parkland Lutheran Cemetery
Tacoma, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.1328940, -122.4253230

5. Wren Family Cemetery
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.0349760, -122.4561880

6. Bethany Cemetery
Spanaway, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.0161514, -122.3700027

7. Mountain View Memorial Park
Lakewood, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.1794014, -122.4916992

8. Jeschke Cemetery
Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.0026016, -122.4599991

9. Smith Cemetery
Roy, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.0004997, -122.4535980

10. Home Of Peace Cemetery
Lakewood, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.1781006, -122.5081024

11. Old Settlers Cemetery
Lakewood, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.1486110, -122.5472220

12. Woodbine Cemetery
Puyallup, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.1711006, -122.3005981

13. Calvary Cemetery
Tacoma, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.1921997, -122.5038986

14. Old Pioneer Cemetery
Tacoma, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.1907501, -122.5086517

15. Camp Lewis Cemetery
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.0616989, -122.5830994

16. Steilacoom Masonic Cemetery
Lakewood, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.1497460, -122.5737970

17. Byrd Cemetery
Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.1847160, -122.5348600

18. Tacoma Mausoleum
Tacoma, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.2087212, -122.4773712

19. Pauper County Public Cemetery
Tacoma, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.2096000, -122.4759000

20. Oakwood Hill Cemetery
Tacoma, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.2097015, -122.4775009

21. Tacoma Cemetery
Tacoma, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.2118988, -122.4766998

22. Western State Hospital Memorial Cemetery
Lakewood, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.1734010, -122.5589840

23. King Hill Pioneer Cemetery
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.0132330, -122.5598660

24. Orting Cemetery
Orting, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.0788350, -122.2314030