Paul G. Oxley

Paul OxleyResident of Moraga, Calif.February 17, 1938 - November 13, 2023 Paul Oxley passed away on Monday, November 13th after a 3.5-year battle with Lewy Body Dementia. As a beloved family man and educator, he touched many lives over a long and well-lived life. Paul was born in Windside, Nebraska, to Clare and Helen Oxley. He was the oldest of four boys, including Bill, Bob, and Jim. In 1942, Paul and his family moved to San Diego, Calif., where he attended Kit Carson Elementary School and Kearny High School graduating in 1955. He attended California State University, San Diego, graduating in 1961, with a Bachelor of Music Education and a minor in social studies. He also was a proud member of the music fraternity Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. While attending San Diego State, he met the love of his life Judy Martin (Coachella Valley, Calif.) when he borrowed a cup of sugar while living in the same apartment building near campus. Paul enjoyed showing Judy all that San Diego offered, including Coronado Island, Old Town San Diego, and Balboa Park where he worked as a concessionaire to put himself through school. Upon graduation, Paul took a job in Avenal, Calif., teaching instrumental music for seven years with elementary, middle school and high school students. During this time Paul and his students achieved much success during marching band competitions and music festivals where they earned many first place finishes and superior ratings. During this same time he also wrote the alma mater for Avenal High School, which is still used to this day. This time in his life was so influential that a picture of his award-winning middle school marching band proudly adorned his bedroom wall until the end of his life. Paul and Judy married June 16th, 1962, and created a loving home in Avenal for their three children Bill, Cynthia, and Heather. They enjoyed family camping trips, outdoor activities, trips to the California Coast, storytelling and laughter with extended family, and the many benefits of small-town life. Paul transitioned his career from the band room into the classroom teaching fourth and fifth grades for six years before moving onto administration while acquiring his Master of Arts in Education (Supervision and Administration) from California State University, San Jose, in 1978. Paul also continued to nurture his love of music by founding and playing in a small jazz band, the 39ers, and performing as the lead clarinetist in the Coalinga Community College musical theater productions of A Little Night Music, The Music Man and The Sound of Music. In 1979, the family moved to Chico, Calif., when Paul accepted the role of principal at Rosedale Elementary School leading to a 22-year career with Chico Unified School District. During this time Paul opened Little Chico Creek Elementary School in 1981, served as principal at Bidwell Junior High for a short time and returned to Little Chico Creek where he retired with the highest honors in 1998. Following his retirement, Paul accepted a part-time role at California State University, Chico, in the College of Education where he mentored and developed student teachers entering the field of education until 2007. His eternal advice to young people and developing teachers was to “be yourself.” After wrapping his professional career, Paul devoted his time to Judy, making and selling custom golf clubs and spending time with his 10 beloved grandchildren where he gave them tractor rides, music lessons, and attended many family events. In 2011, Paul and Judy moved to Moraga, Calif., to be closer to family. During this period he donated his time to the Muffin Men organization where he supported food donation delivery efforts to shelters, food banks and other community outreach organizations. During his final years he was lovingly cared for at Carnelian Assisted Living and made many friends with his fellow residents, caregivers, and therapists. The family is deeply grateful to those who showed kindness and love to him during this time and the family expanded to include these beloved caregivers and friends. Predeceased by his parents Clare and Helen and brother Bill, Paul is survived by his loving wife, Judy; devoted children Bill Oxley (Lianne) of Toluca Lake, Cynthia Rude (Bobby) of Aliso Viejo, Heather Davis (Greg) of Moraga; beloved grandchildren, Charlotte and Vivian Oxley of Los Angeles, Liam and Wiatt Oxley of Toluca Lake, Carlyn and Chloe Rude of Aliso Viejo, and Kyle, Rebekka, Samantha, and Addison Davis of Moraga. He also is survived by his brother and sister-in-law Bob and Annie Oxley of San Diego and brother Jim Oxley of Fullerton and his cherished nieces, nephews and great-nephew. His loving, kind and caring spirit will be missed immeasurably by all. As his last gift of service in support of humanity, Paul donated his brain to dementia research through UCLA’s Gift of Hope program. For those interested in supporting research and advancement efforts, donations of any amount can be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association at https://www.lbda.org/donate. If you’d like the family to be informed of your support, please click on “Tribute Gift” and enter Paul’s name.