Paul Coughlin

Paul Coughlin, AKA "Paddy O'Furniture" August 8, 1922 ~ April 16, 2013 Paul Coughlin, AKA "PC Himself," AKA "Paddy O'Furniture," age 90, passed away of heart complications on Tuesday, April 16, 2013, at his home in Wenatchee, WA. At his side were his wife of over 65 years, Karlann and his daughter, Cris. According to his wishes, Paul is being cremated and no official service is being planned at this time. Those wishing to offer their condolences or recollections of Paul can do so at: www.facebook.com/paul.coughlin.963 Paul was born in Lackawanna, NY on August 8, 1922. He graduated from South Park High School in Buffalo, NY in 1940, and continued on to receive a BA from the University of Michigan in 1948, and a Master of Dramatic Arts from Cleveland's Western Reserve University in 1950. His studies were temporarily interrupted in the 1940's, when he enlisted in the Marines and served in the South Pacific during World War II from 1942 to 1946, and was in the Battle of Guadalcanal. Paul was married to Karlann (Smith) on August 29, 1947, and they have been married for 65 years. Together they raised four children, Kevin, Tricia, Matt and Cris. Paul's career as a teacher spanned four decades, starting in the 1950's at the high school in Pinedale, WY and then continuing at Flathead High School and Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell, MT. He taught English-Literature-Drama and was a department head at FHS and FVCC. One of his proudest accomplishments was that even as late as earlier this year, former students would continue to get in touch with him to tell him how much his classes had meant to them. Paul was also a prolific and published poet of over 800 poems. One of his proudest moments came when Robert Frost took the time to speak with him personally about his poetry in the late 1940's, while he (Paul) was a student at the University of Michigan. Paul also became known throughout the years as a wonderful photographer, often developing his own photographs in the dark room in his home in Kalispell. Paul and Karlann taught their four children to snow ski at the Big Mountain in Whitefish, MT and that skiing tradition is now going on 60 years, as they saw video of their great-grandson, Owen, taking his first runs at age three earlier this year (Paul made his last ski runs at age 88). Paul is survived by his wife, Karlann; his son, Kevin (Ranae) of Bismarck, ND; his son, Matt (Stacia) of Hibbing, MN; and his daughter, Cris of Whitefish, MT. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Kathryn (Brainard); his brothers, Richard, John and Tom; and his daughter, Tricia (John Page). In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you follow in the tradition that Paul and Karlann have lived their lives by: that you do something nice for someone else today!!!

Paul Coughlin

August 8, 1922 - April 16, 2013