Paul Fred Gourdin

Paul Fred Gourdin, loving husband, father, papa and friend to all, passed away peacefully in his sleep the morning of April 22, 2025, after a day surrounded by family, and full of love, celebrating his 85th birthday.

Paul was born on April 21, 1940, in Provo, Utah to Fred and Gena Gourdin. He was the eldest and only son with four younger sisters, Patty, Ora, Mary Ann and Yvonne. The first years of his life they lived on a Farm in Orem, UT across from what is now the University Mall. His Grandma and Grandpa Gourdin lived there with them in a 2 bedroom farmhouse. He loved to talk about how he didn’t have indoor plumbing till he was 11 years old.

He attended Spencer Elementary, Lincoln Jr High and was in the first graduating class of Orem High school.

He learned to work hard at a young age working on the farm. At the age of 12 he was weeding, pruning, mowing lawns and by 14 working the counters at Scera. He later went on to Manage the Scera Theater and Pool for 25 years.

Paul served an LDS missing to the Buenos Aires Argentina mission, where he learned to speak Spanish first hand. After his mission he decided he wanted to be a teacher. He attended BYU and received a Bachelors and Masters degree in education. He started teaching at Lincoln Jr. High and then went on to teach at Lakeridge Jr High for the remainder of his career retiring in 2001. He was a most beloved Spanish teacher, also teaching history in Spanish and took great joy in being the student council advisor because in his own words- he got to work with the “cream of the crop”. He also taught Hunters Safety.

In 1988 Paul met Carol Martin and it didn’t take long for him to decided she was the one he wanted to spend his life with. They married on August 6, 1988, in the Salt Lake Temple, Creating a beautiful family together with 10 combined children.

Paul enjoyed many things, fishing, hunting, and horseback riding to name a few, he loved horses from a very young age and had many throughout his life. Paul and Carol shared a love for horses and after retiring from teaching started raising, and training paint horses on their ranch in Highland, UT. They showed and competed with their paints throughout the west making it to the World Show in Texas and taking 7th place in Western Trail.

Paul had a strong testimony of the Gospel and was so excited when in 2008, he was called again to Argentina and he and Carol got to serve an 18 month mission together in the Buenos Aires Argentina South mission. After returning from their mission they enjoyed serving and working in the temple.

Being a man of many talents and a need to keep busy, he later in life found his love for wood burning. He created many amazing pieces, winning numerous 1st place ribbons in competitions. He made treasured pieces for his family and friends and you could find him selling out of his work at the Battlecreek Christmas Boutique, where the children loved coming to his booth to have him engrave their name on a stocking.

Paul lived a life full of love, service and happiness with his sweetheart Carol whom he loved deeply, he loved his children and loved being a papa, he loved having grandkid parties, watching and supporting them in all they did but most of all loved giving them whisker kisses. He will be deeply missed by all.

Paul was proceeded in death by his parents Fred and Gena Gourdin, His sister Patricia Lunceford, His baby daughter Trisha Gourdin and his granddaughter Lauren Gourdin Brandon. He is survived by his sweetheart, his loving wife Carol, His children Vaughn Gourdin (Jennifer), Annie Gourdin Merrill (Howard), Jason Gourdin (Michelle), Scott Gourdin (Katie), Michael Pedro, Teresa Ginger, Dave Martin, Todd Martin (Alvia), Craig Martin, Polly Martin (Brandon). 31 grandchildren, and 27 great grandchildren. His 3 sisters, Ora Shields, Mary Ann Quarnberg and Yvonne Peterson and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held at the Rose Canyon Ward Chapel (7079 West Rose Canyon Road, Herriman UT) Friday, May 2, 2025, at 11:00 am with a viewing prior at 10:00 am. There will be a viewing Thursday, May 1, 2025, from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Larkin Mortuary - Riverton (3688 W 12600 S Riverton, UT). Interment will follow in the Herriman City Cemetery.

Funeral services will be streamed Zoom for those wishing to attend virtually. To watch the previously held funeral services, please click the "Watch Services" link above.