Dec. 4, 1907 - Nov. 7, 2008

"Handsome Over One Hundred"

Paul H. Gathercoal, Sr., was born in Wilmette, Ill., on Dec. 4, 1907, to Frank and Nettie Gathercoal, and passed away at his home in Corvallis, on Nov. 7.

After graduation from New Trier High School in 1926, Paul attended the University of Illinois, Urbana Campus, where he was a member of Theta Upsilon Omega which became Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. In 1929 the Great Depression caused him to abandon his college plans, and he went to California to become a forest ranger. He was disappointed, rejected because he was too young for forestry, so he became a merchant seaman on the "Moana" and sailed to Hawaii, Australia, China and Taiwan. On his 21st birthday, Paul was photographed (in 50 cent rented swim trunks) with a backdrop of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Honolulu.

Young Paul was movie-star gorgeous, 'Gary Cooper-style', quiet and unassuming. He fell in love with Marion Moseley, a Northwestern University coed, and courted her until she married him on Oct. 30, 1931, in Oak Park, Ill. They enjoyed 77 years together.

On Thanksgiving Day, 1940, Paul moved his family and his business, Paul H. Gathercoal Awnings and Venetian Blinds Co., from Willmette, Ill., to make a new home in Oregon's beautiful Willamette Valley. After re-establishing his business in Corvallis, Paul encouraged his brother James, his parents, his cousin Glen "Hap", and others to join him in Corvallis.

A humble, quiet, very private man, Paul was also a strong self-made businessman with a vision for Corvallis' future. After selling his awning business, he turned to real estate development, buying and restoring many properties, including homes and apartment and commercial buildings.

In the 1950s Paul and his brother, James, and his father, Frank, acquired an old airport on 88 acres north of town. On this property they created the Gathercoal Addition, which is now bounded by Highland Way, Circle Boulevard, 13th Street, and Grant Street. Their plan included homes, Garfield Grade School, Highland Junior High School (now Linus Pauling Middle School), Calvin Presbyterian Church, and a school athletics park. Eventually, Osborn Aquatic Center, and the Boys & Girls Club were built on land that they donated for that use.

Paul served as a Corvallis Councilman (1951-1957), Benton County Board of Equalization (1975-1980), active Lions Club member and President (1949-1950), Member of Optimists International, Board of Trustees of Federated Churches, Scout Master of Troop 1 in Wilmette, Ill., and Corvallis, Toastmasters, Owatana Dance Club, and was an avid golfer from the age of 12.

In recent years, Paul and Marion enjoyed their retirement in a penthouse apartment near Central Park, with assistance from very special "Angel people." Family was paramount to Paul and he was proud that all of his children were college educated. Some of his greatest joys were the presence and laughter around the holiday tables as the family grew to include more than 30 Gathercoals.

Paul is survived by his wife, Marion; his four children and spouses, Forrest and Joan Gathercoal, Peggy and Dow Poling, Bonny Gathercoal Potter, and Paul Jr. and Gwen Gathercoal; nine grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; seven great-great grandchildren; and a beloved extended family of nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends.

Paul wanted to "Live a Peaceful Life"…. And He Is at Peace…

A public memorial service will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22 at First Presbyterian Church, 114 S.W. Eighth St., Corvallis.

Come Celebrate Paul's Life - it is great!

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a remembrance to an organization of choice or to the Benton County Hospice in care of Demoss-Durdan Garden Chapel, 815 N.W. Buchanan Ave. Corvallis, OR 97330.