Paul Arthur Crosswhite, 78

Paul Arthur Crosswhite, 78, a life-long resident of Bonner County, Idaho passed away at Sandpoint, Idaho on Friday, October 29, 2021.

He was married to Elsie (Blakeley) Crosswhite on August 9, 1963. They shared 58 years of marriage.

Paul was born to Lewis and Alta (Melendy) Crosswhite on July 2, 1943, in Sandpoint, Idaho. He spent his early years growing up at the homestead in Careywood, Idaho. They moved to Sandpoint when Paul was 12. Paul attended Southside Elementary School, and then continued school in Sandpoint. Paul worked his entire adult life in the lumber industry. He first worked at the Pack River Mill in Dover, Idaho. He then worked driving forklift for Washington-Idaho Forest Products, Louisiana Pacific and Crown Pacific, in Sandpoint, Colburn, Bonners Ferry and finally in Thompson Falls, Montana.

Paul was a member and regularly attended services at The Church of God in Sandpoint, and later at The Sandpoint Christian Center. Paul was an outdoorsman, findings his greatest joy in being in nature, whether he was hunting, camping, hiking, fishing, or just out for a day trip on the High Drive to go on a family picnic. In his younger years, Paul drove his 53A Studebaker at the stock car races in Colburn, Idaho. He played community league basketball in Sandpoint, and he belonged to a bowling league.

Paul had many talents, not the least of which was woodworking. He built 2 houses that his family lived in, one in Sandpoint, and one in Hope. Paul will be remembered for his integrity, and his sense of family and his sense of responsibility to his family. Paul was never one to sit idle, whether he was making sure the freezer was full during hunting season, bringing in enough firewood to make it through the cold times, tending his always lush garden, or gathering firewood to sell during the lean times, he always had a project going.

Paul had a sense of humor that many will remember him for, and he always had something in mind to entertain the kids. Paul also found great joy in his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He proudly wore his t-shirt that said, “If I would have known grandchildren were so much fun, I would have had them first.”

Paul is survived by his wife, Elsie, of Sandpoint; two children, Jerry Crosswhite of Athol, Idaho, Brenda (Allen) Albert of Sandpoint, 2 grandchildren, Justin Cottle of Priest River, Idaho, Whitney (Zach) Betz of Sandpoint, and 4 great-grandchildren, Adrianna, Gabriel and Christian Cottle of Lakewood, Washington, and Elijah McLeish of Sandpoint, sister, Millie Ribeiro of Sandpoint, and brother, Herman Crosswhite of Kootenai, Idaho.

Paul was preceded in death by his father, Lewis Crosswhite, his mother, Alta Crosswhite, and one brother, David Crosswhite.

There will be a small graveside service at Pinecrest Cemetery. In consideration of the nationwide pandemic, we are undergoing right now, an outdoor Celebration of Life will not be held until Saturday, May 21, 2022.

Memorial donations may be made to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke for the research of progressive supranuclear palsy at NINDS, PO Box 5801, Bethesda, MD 20824.

Friends and family are invited to sign Paul’s online guestbook at coffeltfuneral.com.

Final arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.