Paul Orlan Cahoon

Paul Orlan Cahoon

Paul Orlan Cahoon, age 27, passed away on Friday, September 25 in West Jordan, Utah. Paul is survived by his mother, Hillary Fleming Cahoon; his father, Orlan Cahoon; his brother, Michael (Syd) Cahoon; his sister, Marinn Cahoon; and his grandmother, Barbara Monson Fleming. Paul was predeceased by his grandfather, Paul St. John Fleming (Poppy).

Paul always had a special love of animals. Even when he was a baby and had the choice of picking up a toy truck or a toy animal, he always went for the animal. He loved his Shih Tzu pets, Haleigh and Mia, and was always drawn to whatever pets anyone had as he would visit family and friends.

Growing up, Paul loved his family trips to Canada to see his dad's family and go hiking and fishing and riding quads and bikes in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. The only tattoo Paul got was a tattoo of Chief Mountain. He especially loved going to Gerald and Karen’s house to ride horses and spend time with all of the animals. It was a proud day when Paul finally got his dual citizenship and became both a US and Canadian citizen.

Paul had a natural ability to connect with people. He could strike up a conversation with anyone, and people loved talking with him. And he wasn't afraid to discuss difficult or sensitive subjects, including politics, but he was also very good at acknowledging and respecting the other person’s perspective.

During high school, Paul demonstrated another beautiful side of his character when he worked as a Teaching Assistant with special needs students. His efforts earned him a Student of the Month award at Riverton High School. The teacher explained that when Paul walked into class he was often swarmed by the special needs boys and girls as they wanted to take all his attention. There were two girls in particular who the teacher said not even any of the other teachers could get the girls to do their homework like Paul could. And when Prom was approaching, a special needs girl in class sent Paul a note asking him to go to prom with a square box with a “yes” and another square box with a “no” and without a thought Paul instantly marked the yes box and was honored to take her to prom.

Paul also worked as an electrical apprentice while still in high school and continued in that field for about a year after graduating. He continued to use his electrical skills to help neighbors and friends, and especially his Nunna and Poppy. Paul later spent about four years working for Smith's Food and Drug, along with exploring other directions in life.

Paul loved his Nunna and Poppy. When Poppy got dementia later in life Paul was always at the house helping Nunna and Poppy with whatever needed to be done. Day or night if Nunna called, Paul was out the door within a minute to help out.

Paul’s path was not always easy, and he faced significant challenges as a young adult. Over the last five or six years of his life, Paul experienced five hospitalizations related to episodes of cannabis-induced psychosis. Along with other mental-health challenges, and Paul's decision, for his own reasons, not to take medications prescribed by his doctors, these struggles ultimately became more than Paul felt he could bear in this mortal life.

Paul's parents hope that, as society continues to navigate the changing landscape surrounding cannabis, there may be room for thoughtful and sensitive regulation that could help prevent young people with a history of cannabis-induced psychosis from gaining access to cannabis.

He will be missed intensely and loved eternally by his family and friends.

The family has established a Venmo account for those who would like to help with Paul's funeral and memorial expenses. Contributions are completely voluntary and are deeply appreciated.

Venmo: @Hillary-Cahoon