J. Paul Lish

J. Paul Lish, 69, passed away on March 28, 2023. He was born February 5, 1954 to J. Harry Lish and Darlene Richardson Lish.

Our dad was an intelligent talented man of many interest and hobbies. Growing up in Cache Valley, Utah, he truly loved the landscape and the beauty he was surrounded by his entire life.  He enjoyed hiking all around the area and spent many hours fishing the Bear River.  He could point to any mountain and tell you all about what you could find up there.  Indian caves, crystals, and amazing fossils and artifacts. There was no shortage of knowledge about any of these things.  

Dad had a green thumb and anything he planted seemed to grow beautifully.  He was particularly proud of his irises and was even a member of the local Iris Society.  He would brag about the delicious cherries every year saying they tasted just like jolly ranchers.  He also loved photographing morning glories, poppies, sunflowers, and mushrooms.  Any drive he took we would receive the most beautiful pictures of the scenery he encountered. Wildflowers, sunsets, cloud formations and the like. They were truly gorgeous photos!

 Dad’s love for his animals was always endearing and was a window into the kindness and respect he had for all creatures great and small.  We can all agree that the love returned by his faithful border collies and cats in the last several years gave him peace and comfort.  Especially Stormy!! His treasured companion that never left his side, never left him lonely and was the source of a great deal of laughter and light.  Thank you Stormy. 

Dad had many many friends throughout his life that he loved and cared for a great deal.  Thank you to each of you.  So many stories of camping adventures and all sorts of shenanigans never failed to entertain. 

Dad worked as a journeyman painter his entire life.  He was a master in using the spray gun and oil paint application. Few could have the results dad had.  He worked on many LDS churches including several temples.  He also painted Ogden Station when it was being restored some time ago.  He never failed to let anyone know that he was the best of the best and I know it to be true having gone on many workdays with him.  He always let us spackle holes or scrape paint, making us feel useful alongside of him.  Thank you Dad. 

To us, his four daughters, from the very beginning he was by our side through the thickest and the thinnest of life’s challenges.  Our dad NEVER had an unkind word to say to us.  He was the epitome of unconditional love!! He would always make sure that we knew WE were his greatest gifts and the greatest accomplishments of his lifetime.  Spending time with his four drop dead gorgeous girls was his very favorite thing to do in all the world.  Even though most of us grew up in different situations and in different locations, there was not one time EVER that he did not do anything in his power to keep in touch, to communicate his love for us, and desperately he wished we could have always been together.  Thank you Dad. 

In recent years with the advance of FaceTime it was such a pleasure to spend copious amounts of time on the phone, being able to see his smiling face, hear his deep soothing voice and terrific laughter.  We would watch each other cook, make art, walk around the house, walk in the garden, being able to take him with us and feel as if he were right there was such a joy and a blessing.  We will miss that easy opportunity to just call him up and be with him whenever we wanted.  He would ALWAYS answer the phone, always be excited and happy to hear from us and always ready to fill us in on his day.  He never ended a conversation without telling us how very much he loved us and how very special we are to him.  Conversations with dad always felt satisfying on so many levels. Thank you Dad. 

If there is any one thing I would like people to know is how much compassion and empathy he felt towards his friends and family. So much love in one man’s heart is truly a testament to his soul!! Thank you Dad. 

Our dad was a very talented artist, he worked in many mediums through this life and we treasure the paintings or the cool things he made.   In recent years he became quite the master of Zen Tangle.  Producing several drawings a day for the past four or so years.  His love of this beautiful art he contributed to saving his life.  He would tell us this all the time.  It kept his mind occupied, his spirit soothed and gave him a great outlet to show the world how very talented he truly was.  So many many hours he would be drawing, perfecting his craft.  These drawings he would say he did for us.  Thank you Dad for leaving these beautiful tokens of expression that can be seen and enjoyed by many.  Recently he began teaching himself how to knapp arrowheads and found great pleasure in finding obsidian and hand making tools for the craft.  He became quite good at it, and it filled a lot of lonely times.  

Our Dad to us was the kindest most loving man we have ever known.  We are absolutely grief stricken to have lost our soul mate in life.  He had a unique personality that is rare among jewels.  He was the rarest of his kind.  We will all move forward remembering the best of times with him.  We will all move forward with his humor and words resonating through our memories.  We will all move forward proud to be of him our most beloved father and friend a girl could ever wish for in a lifetime!  

Thank you dad for giving us life and living this life side by side!!   

YOU ARE ONE OF US!!!  

Keep on truckin till we meet again in a cave up in the hills!  A friend of the devil is a friend of mine! 

A viewing will be held Friday, March 31, 2023 from 5-6 P.M. with a memorial service to follow from 6-7 P.M. at the Rogers & Taylor Funeral Home (111 N 100 E- Tremonton).  The burial will take place Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 1 P.M. at the Garland Cemetery. The memorial service will be livestreamed and may be accessed below.