PAUL DeCOURSEY PREPPERNAU

Paul DeCoursey Preppernau, beloved husband of Kathy Atkison Preppernau passed to his new life on September 28, 2019 at age 84 at the Hospice Care Center,  Providence Hospital in Everett, WA.  

He was preceded by his parents, Charles and Hazel Preppernau and his son Barry Preppernau.  He is survived by his wife, Kathy, 2 sons Brian Preppernau and Brent Preppernau (Andrea), 2 step children, Rick Whitmore (Patti) and Lynette Whitmore (Mickey), 17 grandchildren and 3 great grandsons.  

Paul was born in Tacoma, WA on May 15, 1935.  He graduated from Springfield High School in Springfield, OR and received his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Oregon State College in June and of 1959 where he also completed the ROTC program.   He entered the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant in September of 1959 and completed Armored Basic School in November of 1959 in Ft Knox, KY  After completing the Ordinance Officer Basic Course, the Automotive Maintenance  and Repair Officer Course then the Recon leaders Course in 1960 he received the rank of 1st Lieutenant.   

Paul served his country proudly during the Cold War in Germany on the border in Bad Hersfeld and retired as Captain Paul Preppernau in July of 1963.  He continued to serve in the reserves until May of 1968.  

Paul loved to talk about his years of service to anyone who would listen and would get choked up with anything Patriotic. 

Paul and Kathy combined their families on July 4th of 1981 with their 5 children by their sides and were blessed to have 38 years together.  They loved camping, boating, fishing and traveling the western United States in their RV and building wonderful memories with family and friends. They moved from Tacoma, WA to Yuma, AZ in 1996 and enjoyed exploring the desert and hills in that area.  After 10 years in Yuma they moved to San Felipe, Mexico on the beautiful Sea of Cortez in 2006 with friends and enjoyed life in the little fishing village by the Sea.  

Paul's health brought them back to the States in 2014. They lived in the Phoenix area for a few years to be near a VA hospital then moved back to the Seattle area in 2017....back to where their journey together began.  

Paul loved working with wood!  Everything from remodeling houses to creating beautiful wood sculptures. He had a very creative mind which showed in his designs for remodels and in his creative art.   

He had a good life...a happy life....  filled with adventure and accomplishments.  He is  missed every day by his loving family and friends. 

A service with military honors  will be held at Freeze Cemetery Potlatch, Idaho on Oct. 3, 2020 at 10:00 A.M. with Pastor Kathy Kramer officiating followed by a reception at Carol Ownbey’s home 1276 W. Freeze Road, Potlatch, ID.  Kramer Funeral Home, Palouse, WA is caring for the family.                                                                                                                      Online condolences may be left at www.kramercares.com.

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