Paul Joseph Edgerton August 10, 1937 - July 29, 2018

A wonderful, gentle soul gently soared to heaven. Paul Joseph Edgerton passed away July 29, 2018. He was born to Charles and Helen Hartwig Edgerton August 10, 1937, in Florence, Arizona. Paul graduated from North Phoenix High School, received his Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology from University of Arizona and did extensive graduate work at the University of Idaho, where he met his future wife, Susan Cox.

Paul and Sue married in September of 1960 and began their life adventure. Paul worked as a research ecologist for the Pacific Northwest Research Station of the U.S. Forest Service in La Grande and directed research at the Forestry Sciences Lab in Wenatchee, Washington. He also worked as the Ecologist for Region 9 of the U.S. Forest Service, based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Paul and Sue spent many years back packing and river rafting with their family, especially when they lived in La Grande. After retirement, they enjoyed traveling and visiting several countries. They especially enjoyed visiting Mexico and also spending a few winter months in Arizona.

He and Sue retired to Friday Harbor, Washington, where he became an orchardist and master gardener, and sold fruit, vegetables and flowers at the San Juan Island Farmers' Market for 10 years. They moved to Sisters in 2002, and Paul soon became one of the first tour leaders for the Deschutes Land Trust, teaching many people about the ecology of plants and animals of our region as well as his love for nature. He was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Land Trust in 2017. There is a bench in his honor at the Metolius Preserve.

He is survived by his wife, Sue, and their four children: Patricia Carrell (Gerald) of MapleValley, Washington; David Edgerton (Terrence Wagner) of Seattle, Washington; Michael Edgerton (Jenny) of Bend; and Kelly Richards (Dan) of Bothell, Washington. Also surviving him are seven beloved grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was extremely proud of all his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister, Dorothy Simms, and his niece, Lorrie Simms.

Paul was loved by his family and admired in his field of Wildlife Biology and Ecology and forest succession after fire. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.

A celebration of his life will be held at a later date: donations to the Deschutes Land Trust can be made in his memory.