Garrett, Paul Edward

Paul Edward Garrett, 81, of Boise, passed away Monday 
morning, April 5, 2010 at Idaho State Veterans Home. 
Paul was born April 21, 1928, in Mullen, Nebraska to Clint 
and Esther Garrett. They moved to Wilder, ID in 1937 
where he grew up, graduating from Wilder High School in 
1947. After graduating he went to Alaska and worked on 
a gold mining expedition. He and another miner 
uncovered the fore part of a baby mammoth elephant in 
the frozen earth near Fairbanks. An article in the Oct 
1949 issue of National Geographic spoke of their find. 
After spending 4 years in the US Air Force during the 
Korean War he returned to Idaho and attended Boise 
State College. Paul spent over 36 years employed by the 
Federal Government. Twenty-five of those years were 
spent in Hawaii. His job took him to many Islands and 
Countries in the Pacific and Asia over the years. His love 
of the area continued after retirement as he spent many 
recent winters in Chiang Mai, Thailand avoiding the cold 
Idaho weather. Paul was an Amateur Radio operator for 
over 50 years with the call sign KH6HDT. He was a life-
member and Past Exalted Ruler of the Kailua, HI Elks 
Lodge. He was also a life-member of the Masonic Lodge, 
first with the Wilder Lodge #83 that later merged with 
Homedale Lodge #13. Paul is survived by son, Douglas 
Garrett & family of Maple Valley, WA; daughter, Stephanie 
Abeyta & family of Ventura, CA; daughter, Paula Kelly 
and family of Los Angeles, CA; brother, Bob Garrett & 
family of Fairfax, VA; and sister, Beverly Tomberlin & 
family of Durango, CO. At his request no funeral services 
will be held. He will be buried at the Idaho Veterans 
Cemetery at a later date. Cremation is under the direction 
of The Cremation Society of Idaho.

Published in Idaho Statesman on April 11, 2010