Paul Douglas Miner

Paul D. Miner passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on March, 26 2024. He celebrated his 89th birthday by visiting with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren just 11 days before his passing.

Paul was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on March 15, 1935, to Lyndon and Margaret (Young) Miner. He came into the world viewed by a gallery of doctors because he was breech with the umbilical wrapped around his neck and two front teeth. His mother died during childbirth and came back to life which is a story she told to her family her entire life. Paul was in the first class to graduate from West Phoenix High School in 1953 where he lettered in Track as a shot putter. He then went to the University of Arizona where he met and married the love of his life Mary Thomson. Paul was active in his fraternity Lambda Chi Alpha where he was voted the outstanding pledge, then was responsible for the finances of the house and later became an advisor.

He graduated from the U of A with a Bachelors degree in Personnel Management and a Masters degree in Public Administration. Eventually, Paul got a job with the City of Tucson where he worked his way up to be the Director of Personnel, a job that he held for almost 24 years.

He is survived by his sons David and Steven (Diana), and his daughter Lynda (Dennis). Seven grandchildren Bradley (Jessica), Stephanie (Max), Valerie (Dillen), Dennis Jr., Derrick, Christian, and Brandon, as well as seven great-grandchildren. Also, surviving brother Jon, sister Michele, and companion Pat.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mary, parents Lyndon and Margaret, and brother Robert.

Paul came from a family of bricklayers and masons.  During high school and college, he helped his father build the El Rancho Motel in Phoenix and the Tucson Inn in Tucson. Later in life, he built a vacation home with his son in a rural area near Klondyke, Arizona. Paul was active in sports his entire life playing intramural softball, badminton, racquetball, and golf. He loved to sail, play his guitar, play poker, and do crossword puzzles.

Paul will be buried next to his wife and parents in a family cemetery located at the base of Mount Graham in southeastern Arizona. He had a life well lived. His grandchildren call him the Rock, or Captain of the Ship. He was a quiet, moral, dutiful, and uncommon man who continues to serve as an example to those of us who remain. We will all miss him greatly.