Paul Vernon Much
September 19, 1946 – February 6, 2022
Paul Vernon Much, loving father, uncle, grandfather and a longtime resident of Helena, Mt, passed away, after a short illness, on February 6, 2022 at Elkhorn Health & Rehabilitation. Paul was 75 years old. He was born in Lewistown, Montana on September 19, 1946 to Edward and Nellie Much. Paul was the second oldest of six siblings. His younger years were spent in Harlowton where he enjoyed fishing, camping, and swimming in the Musselshell River at the boy’s favorite swimming hole. Paul and Bobby were paperboys in Harlo and they use to race to see who could get done with their half of the town first. Paul usually won because he would always take the easiest route because he was the oldest. Paul’s favorite times were when he was sitting on the bank of a river or creek with his fishing pole in hand. Paul and Robert; Bobby as the family called him, would hike down to the Musselshell River to fish and sometimes they would take his .22 to hunt gophers.
Paul then spent his high school years in Helena, MT where they moved after his mother remarried. After high school, Paul joined the Navy and served from 1966 to 1970. While in the Navy he learned his trade of welding. When he got out of the Navy he went to work for Asarco where he retired from. He retired due to a disability which he contended with for the remainder of his life. During his adult years he continued with his love of fishing and hunting. Paul had one daughter, Colleen, from his second marriage and enjoyed traveling to Bozeman to visit her.
Paul was preceded in death by his mother Nellie Kaufman, father Edward Much, and his older brother Leroy. He is survived by his daughter Colleen Much, grandsons Sebastyan Garay, Timothy Haas and Tower Vernon Mason, brother Robert (Linda), sisters Faylene (Jim) Nelson, Kathy Cook and Shelly Kaufman as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Burial will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 4th at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison. A memorial service will take place on March 5th at 11:00 a.m. at Mountain Family Fellowship, 6145 N. Montana Avenue.
John & Cherie Dahl says
I didn’t know Paul but Bob was one of my best friends so our thoughts and prayers go out to Bob, Linda and the rest of the family 🙏
Valerie J Hornsveld says
Kathy and Shelley- You probably do not remember me but Kathy and your mom and
I worked at the Highway Patrol. I am so sorry for the loss of your brother.
Val Horne Middlemas Hornsveld
Rita Cross says
So sorry for your loss. Kathy and Shelly
Gary says
So sorry for your loss of your brother Bob! Gary Heggeset
Kim Schaefer says
Kathy and Shelly,
I’m very sorry for the loss of your brother. Paul was like a father to me. Living next door to him for most of my childhood, he was always willing to lend a hand when I needed something. I enjoyed spending time with him. When he got sick, I felt like I’d lost a family member. It was difficult to see him go through that. I’ve often wondered what became of him. We both moved away and lost touch. I hope his final years were happy ones and I will always remember him fondly.
Love,
Kim
Diane Rushford says
To Paul’s family,
Paul was a great friend of ours, we were neighbors at Pebble Gardens mobile home park. We remained friends even after we moved. We had fun times skiing, dancing and dinners at the Hofbrau with our Daughters when they were young. We will miss him, he was a great person! Lots of good times and memories.