Pete passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 18th in Salt Lake City, Utah, after packing as much life as one could dream of into his nearly 95 years.
He was born in Salt Lake City and graduated from Cyprus High School in Magna, Utah where he was a cheerleader. He was an accomplished musician who played the cornet in his own band. His band performed throughout SL valley until Pete was called to serve his country.
He was enrolled at Utah State University when the attack on Pearl Harbor inspired him to enlist to protect his beloved country. Pete served in the European theatre, reaching the rank of Captain in the Army Air Corps. Pete regaled us with his incredible stories of what he saw and accomplished in WWII. He also shared some of the chicanery he (allegedly) took part in during the war. It was a precursor to how Pete lived his life; seriously, but always with a twinkle in his eye and fun in his heart.
After the war, he and his brother Ernie ran Paulos Auto in Magna until 1976, when they moved it to West Valley City and it became Paulos Chevrolet and later Gus Paulos Chevrolet where he retired in 1980. Pete was the ultimate grinder. He worked at his business 10 hours per day, six days per week for 35 years. He was an example of many things and he always demonstrated a firm willingness to do whatever was necessary to build his dreams.
While devoting much of his energy to his business he found the time to be a supportive, tender, and loving husband and father. He married the girl of his dreams, Mary Athas, on April 28, 1946. Together they raised four children who they infused with independence, diligence and love for one another.
Pete was beloved for many things. He was a diligent man, but retained a childlike joy to the end. He was the joke teller at parties, he recanted stories from yesterday and from 70 years ago. He was the member of his golf group who organized the Holiday parties, called through his friends weekly and organized the schedule.
Pete talked to his children every day and his grandchildren as many times as their schedules would permit. He thrived on social interaction and would initiate contact with as many friends and family as he could each day. He was a most loving and supportive father and Papou. He watched over his family with the most sincere love, kindness and concern.
In his 70's, Pete lost his eyesight to macular degeneration. Not once in the ensuing years did he succumb to self pity. We marveled at how he golfed, with the help of his wonderful friends at Hidden Valley, for many years and came very close to shooting his age when he fired an 86 at 83 years old. Pete was teaching us all a lesson on how to battle the aging process with dignity and determination. He never quit. Pete donated his eyes to further the study of his disease at the Moran Eye Center.
Pete was a man of great dignity, honor and integrity. And he was also a helluva lot of fun. He was a tease and stirred up more trouble than his family could take, at times. He always showed us how much he loved us. He ended every conversation with thank you and I love you. His was a life well lived and he will live in our hearts forever. May his memory be eternal.
Pete is survived by his best friend and loving wife of 68 years, Mary, children Pam Paulos-Strike, Con Paulos, Ann (Demetri) Preonas, and Bill (Julie) Paulos. He was Yogi to his kids and was Papou or Pouli to his 10 grandchildren; Nicholas Strike, Peter (Holly) Strike, Paulos (Elizabeth) Strike, Nicole German, Costa (Ashley) Paulos, Christina Paulos, Louis Preonas, Peter Preonas, Sarah Paulos and Nicholas Paulos. Pete was also blessed with 4 great-grandchildren; Taylor, Jolee, Emma and JP.
A viewing will be held Tuesday, November 25 from 6-8pm at Holy Trinity Cathedral at 279 South 300 West, SLC. There will be a prayer service at 7pm. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 26 at 11am also at Holy Trinity Cathedral. Interment with military honors will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery following the funeral service.
In lieu of flowers you may donate in Pete's memory to the Moran Eye Center, 65 Mario Capecchi Drive, SLC, UT 84132 Attn: Development, Greek Orthodox Community 279 South 300 West SLC, Utah 84101, Boys and Girls Club of Magic Valley of Twin Falls, Idaho 999 Frontier Road, Twin Falls, ID 83301 or a charity of your choice. Online guestbook at www.larkinmortuary.com
