John "Paul" Graybeal

John "Paul" Graybeal, age 49, of La Grande, died February 10, 2012 at his home. A celebration of his life will be held on Monday, February 20, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at Daniels~Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center.



Paul was born on September 10, 1962, the son of Jack and Carole (McMahon) Graybeal in Redmond, Oregon. He graduated from Sandy Union High School in Sandy, Oregon. He attended A & P Mechanic School in Tulsa, Oklahoma and finished his education at Portland Community College. He spent 20 years in Alaska where he worked as a commercial fisherman and as an aircraft mechanic. He built his own fishing vessel, the "Grey Wolf". He later moved to Key West, Florida where he worked for Island City Flying Service. He then moved to Spring Hill, Florida before moving to La Grande with his parents on November 19, 2011. He and his dad were building a log cabin by hand in Trego, Montana. He had a huge heart and was considered a Mountain Man, Redman and enjoyed hunting, fishing and the outdoors. He was a wanderer and traveler always looking for a new adventure. He was an excellent chef and loved animals, especially his beloved dog.



Survivors include his parents, Jack and Carole Graybeal of La Grande; son and his wife, Kirk and Valentina Thompson and granddaughter, Sophia Isabelle Thompson of Kassell, Germany; siblings, Michael Graybeal of Portland, Elizabeth Wooten of Wallowa and Julie Cooke of Sandpoint, Idaho; uncle, Raymond McMahon; and other relatives and friends.



Those who wish may make contributions in his memory to St. Jude's Hospital or the Cancer Society in care of Daniels~Knopp, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.

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