During the time he was with the paper he was approached by Wyoming Congressman Keith Thomson to run his reelection campaign. After the win the couple moved to Washington. Upon Thomson’s death Paul returned to Thermopolis, buying into and editing the paper.
Paul was approached by Clifford Hansen, a first-time gubernatorial candidate. Hansen’s election prompted Paul to move to Cheyenne to serve as his administrative assistant. The governor then successfully ran for the U.S. Senate.
Paul and Averill decided to stay in suburban Virginia where they were raising their five sons. When Paul retired in 1993, they moved to Lake Monticello, Va. Paul then took up painting. After just a few art classes he became a prolific painter and spent much of his time at his easel.
He was a Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteer for several years and was on the Fluvanna library board. He was active in his church serving on different committees. Paul worked at the Fluvanna Review under publishers Len Gardner and Eric Allen.
Paul is survived by his wife, Averill; son Jeff and his wife Ann, son Brad, his wife Karin and their children, Shelby, Kelsey and Bradley; son Clifford; son John, his wife Gracia and their children, Nate, Lily and Alex; and son Paul.
Memorials may be made to Effort Church for missions to Haiti or to the Fluvanna SPCA.