Paul Meredith Engle Jr., 74

Paul Meredith Engle Jr. was born in Bremerhaven, Germany, on June 4, 1949, and departed this earth Nov. 23, 2023.

Paul was the youngest of three children born to Paul M. Engle Sr. and Jeannette A. Engle.

His family, in true military fashion, moved frequently and finally settled in Mountain Home, Idaho, in 1957. He graduated high school in 1967 and went on to attend college at Idaho State University. During his secondary education career, the draft was handed out to Paul and his college rifle club. As a result, the entire group volunteered to enlist in the United States Army. He entered service in Seattle, Wash., in May 1970, and was honorably discharged in November 1974.

During his military service, he met Lois Bell; whom he married in Manassas, Va., in October 1973. They moved to California in 1976 to be closer to his parents. Paul started a career as a marine machinist at Long Beach Naval Shipyard and was employed there until 1984. 

He divorced and moved his three daughters back to Mountain Home, where he then met the love of his life, Christine Dian. They were married in 1985 and added two more children to the family. Paul’s desire to provide a better life for them led him to move to Sandpoint in 1989. Paul worked various jobs from the shipyards in Alaska to Interstate Concrete and Asphalt as well as volunteering with Sagle Fire and working for custom home builders. His retirement from Litehouse Foods of Sandpoint in 2010 allowed him to pursue a wide range of hobbies.

Paul spent many years wood turning and was known for his prize-winning creations entered for competition at the Bonner County Fair. He was a local range master for the Bonner County Sportsmen Association where he shared his love of country with other veterans alike. Paul became a member of the Sandpoint Chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America, where he continued to serve by helping other veterans in the area. He also belonged to the Disabled American Veterans organization.

Paul also had a great love for the lake and spent time volunteering for Idaho Fish and Game gathering data at the fish hatchery, along with countless hours fly fishing at Round Lake. He enjoyed time on the lake both in his trolling motorboat and racing his remote-controlled boats.

Paul was passionate about model trains for as long as his kids can remember and was active in the National Model Railroad Association. He served as president and general manager at Pacific Wide West and Rocky Bar Railroad at one time. Paul also poured his time into restoring his great love, a classic 1956 Chevy pickup; and fulfilled his dream of driving it in the Lost in the '50s parade.

Most important to him was his faith. Paul was a Christian who shared his love for Jesus with all that he could.

Paul was preceded in death by his wife Christine and son Randy. He is survived by his children, Tara Olds of Sandpoint, Idaho, Kristin (Dave Pucci) of Sandpoint, Cindy (Mike Mauro) of Sandpoint, and Jeanette (Stephen Helzer) of Colorado Springs, Colo. He is also survived by his three grandchildren, Elizabeth (Adam Austin) of Chico, Calif., Dylan (Rhianna Olds) of Sandpoint, and Trevor Badeaux of Sandpoint; as well as three great-grandchildren, Isabelle and Charlotte Olds of Sandpoint, and Mary Austin of Chico, Calif.

"Unbelief isn't just a miserable way to live, it's a tragic way to die. Because Christ's tomb is empty, his promise isn't. Your last day on Earth should mark the best of all your days."

Services to be announced at a later date.

Family and friends are invited to sign Paul’s online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.