Paul Burgett passed away on October 12, 2024, at the age of 95 from natural causes. He was born on October 4, 1929, to Ernest and Esther Burgett in Forks, Washington.
The Burgett family moved quite a bit around Washington State. Paul and his family lived in Forks, Fall City, Snoqualmie Falls, and Marysville before settling in Oregon.
In his youth, Paul enjoyed playing sports. He was part of the baseball, football, basketball, and track teams at Mapleton High School in Mapleton, Oregon. He lettered in these sports and even helped get the basketball team to a State Championship tournament in 1948. His nickname in high school was “Stupe,” and he graduated from Mapleton High the same year as the tournament.
Private First-Class USAR Paul Burgett was inducted into the U.S. Army in January 1951 and was on active duty through December 1952. He was honorably discharged from the reservists in September 1956. Paul was part of the 59th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion in the motor pool at Fort Bliss, Texas.
Paul enjoyed working and providing for his family. He spent several years working in lumber and shingle mills in Oregon and Washington states. In the 1960s, he learned the plaster and stucco trade and worked for Benny Bartel Plastering Company for over 20 years. He then drove a bus for Lane Transit District and retired from his work life in 1991.
When Paul wasn’t working, he enjoyed taking care of his home in Pleasant Hill, splitting firewood, fishing, bowling, and volunteering for his daughters’ 4-H horse and livestock groups, Pleasant Hill High School, Pleasant Hill Fire Department, and the Jasper Christian Church.
If you knew Paul, he was a long-time supporter and fan of the Oregon State Beavers. Go Beavs!
Paul was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Joyce Ruth Burgett, in December 2023. His surviving family is daughter Stacey Burgett of Redmond, OR; daughter Heather Alexander, son-in-law Lafe Alexander, and grandson Adam, all of Meadow Valley, CA.
To honor Paul’s life, a memorial will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at 12:30 p.m. at the Jasper Christian Church in Jasper, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Eugene Mission, Heal our Patriots, or Jasper Christian Church.
