Obituary of Paul M. Schoening

Paul Michael Schoening – July 8, 1932 to October 12, 2020 Paul Michael Schoening, age 88, died on Monday October 12, 2020 at his residence on Hood Canal. Paul was born in Lake Forest Park, Seattle on July 8, 1932 to the parents of John William and Gudrun (Kittilsby) Schoening. Paul was the youngest of three brothers, Peter Schoening and William Schoening. Paul graduated from Bothell High School in 1942 then attended the University of Washington studying business. Shortly thereafter Paul worked in Alaska on a fish processing boat. He was then drafted into the Washington National Guard in June 1952, stationed in Germany serving in the military police. Paul became a successful contractor in King County building several malls, schools, and homes. Paul learned to fly at the age of 16. He was an outstanding Bush Pilot and avid hunter. He had several cabins at lakes in Alaska and Northern Canada where he flew in with his float plane, and guided hunters for moose, caribou, bear, and fishing for trout and salmon. He moved to the Hood Canal in 1978, where he built his beautiful log house and air strip for his 1949 Stinson airplane. His home is full of game trophies that he hunted, and you never knew if you were going to be attacked by a lynx, moose, elk, grizzly, and maybe a flying duck. Paul had many, many friends during the construction of his log home and on the weekends, you knew where to go for a party, some work would get done, but not always. Paul then became a gold miner prospector flying his plane to his gold claims in the Yukon Territory on Eldorado Creek and Oro Gulch during the summers. He had a cabin and built a landing strip at Eldorado Creek. In the later part of his life he found the love of his life Wendy who joined him in some of his adventures. Paul and Wendy spent their honeymoon in the Yukon. If you were around Paul, you knew you could get caught up in some of his adventures and sometimes you would say he cheated death again! Paul is survived by his wife Wendy Shelton-Schoening of 20 years and his nine children, Cheri King of Edmonds, Lori Chappell of Arizona, Krista Schoening of Shelton, Steve Schoening (girlfriend Tracy Maurath) of Lilliwaup, Theresa Schoening of Shelton, Dustin Devaney of Lacey, and Brandon Devaney of Shelton. Paul had lost two of his children, his daughter Cathy Schoening of Seattle and his son Greg Schoening of the Philippians. Paul had many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a Celebration of Paul’s Life will be held at their log cabin home in Lilliwaup when the weather and conditions are right. He will be deeply missed by all whose lives he touched.