D. Paul Smedley, a long-time Queen Anne and Magnolia resident, passed away peacefully on April 26, at the age of 86. Paul was a kind, caring, big-hearted, generous and gracious man. He was one of those rare individuals who was loved by everyone who knew him, and he will be deeply missed.
Paul's love of country called him to join the Merchant Marines during WWII. He was a radio operator on Liberty Ships in the South Pacific and received an officer's commission. After the war, Queen Anne High School sweethearts Paul ('44) and Mary ('46), were married - a partnership that lasted over 60 years until she passed away in 2009. Paul worked at the Seattle Post Office, rising through the ranks from clerk to supervisor at the Terminal Annex, to retiring as the Director of Finance for the Seattle region - a career that lasted 34 years.
An avid fisherman, Paul won his first boat at the Post Office Annual
Fishing Derby in 1958. One of Paul's favorite places to fish was Lake
Cavanaugh, where the family bought a small lakeside cabin in 1962.
Paul was preceded in death by two of his brothers, Vern Olson and Carl Smedley, his wife Mary, and son-in-law Ron Hedstrom. He is survived by his brother, Gary Olson, daughters Linda and Lauri, son-in-law Steve, sisters-in-law Patricia, Marlene, and Phyllis; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Paul's life will take place Sunday, June 9, 2:00pm at the Edmonds Yacht Club, 326 Admiral Way, Edmonds, WA 98020. In lieu of flowers or donations, we suggest that you do a random act of kindness for a military veteran, soldier, or a senior citizen. It is what Paul would have done without a second thought.
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