Jerry Paul

By Judith Farringer Paul

Jerry Leroy Paul, of Corvallis, Oregon, passed away on July 20, 2023. High school sweethearts, he and his wife, Judith, moved northward to greener pastures in Corvallis in 2006 after selling their cattle ranch in Monterey County, California.

Jerry attended both Cal Poly campuses, San Luis Obispo and Pomona, graduating from Cal Poly, Pomona with a BS in Environmental Design with a major in Urban Planning. He worked as an Urban Planner before becoming a principal partner in a planning consulting firm based in San Francisco. Preferring the public sector, he went to work for the City of Salinas.

For 15 years, he worked as a Senior Planner, Assistant Community Development Director,and acting Community Development Director. He then changed careers and became the Information Technology Manager for the city. For the next 17 years, he directed the computer and telephone operations. He retired in July 2004.

During his time in the Salinas Valley, he and Judith owned and ran a cow/calf cattle operation.

Their interest in landscaping with native plants brought many new species of birds to their ranch. Before relocating to Corvallis, they had recorded 90 species of birds on the ranch.

A love of nature and conservation of all our natural resources were dear to his heart. Community service-oriented, Jerry volunteered at Chintimini Wildlife Center shortly after moving to Corvallis, serving many years as site manager.

The other side of Jerry was his love of helping people and organizations with any type of construction, fix-it/ repair, restoration, and just making things better. Committed to serving others not only blessed others, but blessed him.

While home, workshop, and garden were his favorite places to be, he loved traveling by RV with his wife and pets in tow.

Jerry was grateful for his many friends and a loving family. He had no desire to have any funeral or memorial service, but if you would like to honor the causes he worked for, please consider donating in his name to the Jerry and Judith Paul Native Pollinator Fund, OSU Foundation, 4238 SW Research Way Corvallis, OR 97333.  https://www.fororegonstate.org/