Paul William Schakelaar

Paul William Schakelaar of Wray Colorado died May 24th 2016 at Hillcrest Center in Wray, due to complication with pneumonia, and a long struggle with Parkinson’s. Paul was born on December 19th 1930 in Wray Colorado to Albert and Bernice Schakelaar. His Siblings were Fern, Nadine, and Carol Schakelaar. In 1951 he married Lovina Jane Rockwell at the Nazarene church in Wray.
He was first educated in a country schoolhouse north of Wray. Later, he attended Wray High School. After graduating High School, he spent a short time at seminary in Illinois, and two years at Pasadena College in Southern California, and then he pursued other professional endeavors.
Paul spent most of his life in the technical machining trade. He began learning the trade while a bible student in Illinois. Using these skills he was able to advance to production manager at Microdot Industries in Pasadena California, at Eitel McCollaugh in Red Wood City, and at Tynex in Arcadia, he finally opened his own machine shop in Covina California. He became semi retired at the young age of 48 and moved to Schaffer’s Crossing Colorado in the mountain above Denver where, with the help of family and friends, he built his wife’s dream home. People came from everywhere to fish in his trout ponds. After several years in the mountains they moved to Denver where together Paul and Lovina managed several apartment complexes. In 1992 Paul fully retired and moved back to Wray Colorado where he spent his last days.
Paul was known to move around the country as his employment / desires moved him. Paul and Lovina lived in several places in California and Colorado, for a total of 29 different homes in his married life. He and Lovina both loved the adventure of new surroundings and the fun of meeting new people. He was loved and appreciated wherever he went for his humor and easygoing personality.
Paul always loved sports. He played football and baseball in high school and later for city teams and company teams. He learned to play golf later in life, which became a real passion. He also took up acrylic painting in his advanced years and was good enough to win a first place ribbon in the Wray Art Fair.
There were so many things about Paul that endeared him to many. He could always be counted on for a good laugh, both from his endless repertoire of jokes as well as his own imaginative wit. He had amazing carpentry and all kinds of other handy man skills. He was always willing to help others with any needed task. He is loved by his grandchildren for the many quality hours he spent with them playing games, teaching them to paint, and many other life skills. He was a quiet man of God setting an example of integrity, patience and love. He will be missed by many.
Paul is survived by his wife Lovina of Wray, Co, children and spouses: Paul A. Schakelaar of Scottsdale, AZ., Peggy and Bill Hays of Castle Rock, CO., Terry and Christie Schakelaar of Canon City, CO., Sheri and Chris Hartz of Clovis, CA., grandchildren Holly Zacchino of Scottsdale, AZ., Nathan Hays of Denver, CO., Michaela Hays of Denver, CO., Cameryn Hays of Castle Rock CO, Eirie Claire Hays of Denver, CO, Sara Englehart of Fruita, CO, Amy Brooks of Fruita, CO., Jake Schakelaar of Fruita, CO., Brooke of Canon City CO., Kelsey Ostrow of Fresno, CA., Alexandria Garvin of Costa Mesa, CA., Carrie Nielson of Chino Hills, CA., great grandchildren Sebastian Zacchino of Scottsdale, AZ., Ava Englehart and Addley Englehart of Fruita, CO., Troy Brooks, Titus Brooks, Tait Brooks, Aliza Brooks of Fruita, CO., Tally Ostrow, Braeden Ostrow, Logan Ostrow, Morgan Ostrow of Fresno, CA., Blake Nielson, Leah Neilson, Kylie Nielson of Chino Hills, CA, siblings Nadine Renzelman of Wray CO, and Carol Twiss of Wray CO, and many other relatives and friends.