Obituary of Paul C. Gregson

In the Olympia home where he lived happily for 40 years, Paul C. Gregson, 85, bid a final goodbye to his family on October 5, 2014. Paul was born in Marshalltown, Iowa, in 1929, to Janet and Paul Gregson. His family moved during the Great Depression to New Sharon, Iowa. He met his wife, Marilyn, when her family moved around the corner from his. They married on September 2, 1958. After serving in the Korean War, Paul attended Central College in Pella, Iowa, and Iowa State University where he earned a degree in Civil Engineering. Following graduation, he began his career with the Bureau of Public Roads, which later became the Federal Highway Administration. Paul served citizens in Texas, Arkansas, Colorado and Washington. He completed his career with FHWA as head of the Washington State division from 1974 to 1988. For his many contributions, he received an Award for Meritorious Achievement from the U.S. Secretary of Transportation. Paul was a lifetime Methodist, the past 40 years a member of the First United Methodist Church in Olympia. He volunteered for 16 years, collecting food from area stores for the Olympia Senior Center. This service and the friendships he made brought much joy to his retirement years. He was a beloved leader, colleague, husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. Paul was kind, gentle, fun-loving, and gracious in all of his relationships, and quietly cared for people. He had a lifelong interest in transportation and old cars. He especially enjoyed taking car trips, driving his 1930 Model A Ford Coupe Deluxe and spending time with car club friends. Paul was a dedicated family man and is survived by his wife, Marilyn; daughter, Julia of Seattle; son, Matthew of Olympia; grandson, Evan Boe of Seattle; sister, Marilyn McCain and nephew, Marc McCain of New Sharon, Iowa; and many dear friends and extended family members. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Youth Fund of the First United Methodist Church, or the Thurston County Food Bank: 220 Thurston Ave NE, Olympia, WA, 98501. Please leave memories of Paul or condolences for his family in the Guestbook below.