I lost touch with Paul and Jackie after I moved down to LA.  I would go back to SLO occasionally on weekends, but life catches up with you and my visits became more infrequent.

Before I go on let me thank Dan for setting up this site for people to share.

I would get on the internet every year or so just to see where people were if I could find them.

I saw Jackie moved to Atascadero, then Los Osos, and now maybe back to Atascadero.

I saw Paul moved from SLO to Arroyo Grande then maybe go Florida, and then back go Minnesota.

I ran into the memorial site about a week ago, and was trying to decide how to respond.

A bunch of memories came floating back. Paul's wearing of flip-flops most all of the time, Me and Paul walking to Gus's grocery when Jackie worked there. music in the park on Sundays, me going to Paul & Jackie's most any time of the day.

So a little late hello to Dan, Jackie, Kenton, and anyone else who may have known me,  And Jackie next time you talk to Clark tell him I said hi.

   Van  Lowe

Oh, the stories that we all have with PB……yes, Peeb😊

I am very very sorry to hear that Paul has passed on.  I knew he was struggling with health issues but, COVID!  Mostly I have been running back and forth to the Kleenex box…remembering Paul and listening to Dylan.  I think he is the only one I know that really did understand him.

The “Vikings” have lost their BIGGEST fan!  I remember many Sundays with him on the couch watching the game. He would always get his “10!” viking shirt on, with his viking hat and be the best couch coach the team ever had….he truly loved Fran Tarkenton!  That is their loss.

Paul was one of the smartest people I have ever known.  That is the truth.  I don’t think he realized it, really.  I am proud to have known him and he will certainly be missed.He was a great step dad to Clark too.  Patient, understanding and a good teacher.  He enjoyed all his  friends and had lots of crazy memories from his college years.  Yes, Kenton you are right,  lots of smiles and laughs.

Mary, Dan and family, thank you so very much for taking care of Paul and loving him.  I can tell from your message that he was loved, right to the very end.  Peace and love.  Hopefully some day Clark and I can come to visit and give you all a great big hug.

Paul, Rest In Peace and I am sure you are looking at the football stats for the season to start.  Get that Viking hat out and enjoy.  

Sincerely, Jackie

“I will let you be in my dreams if I can be in yours….”

Bob Dylan

This is Kenton – I’m the guy behind the Corvair in the photos and I have a few anecdotes regarding Paul (PB, Peeb);

I met Paul in 1972 in an architectural rendering class at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. We later became roommates in a classic Craftsman his dad purchased as an investment. We loved that house and never ever got into trouble…

The following year, the summer of 1973 we both worked road construction on Wolf Creek Pass in southwest Colorado. I worked as a laborer for the contractor and he worked alongside my Uncle Bob, the Project Engineer for the State. Bob was one of the smartest men I’ve ever known and years later would mention how intelligent and engaging Paul was in their daily conversation driving around on the job.

Fishing with Paul was hilarious but certainly not productive. We bet one of our best buddies (who knew all about fishing) that we would come home from Lake Nacimiento with limits.

After absolutely no hits Paul suggested we BUY 3 fish, throw them in the cooler and then run home and tell Louie we caught ‘em, which we did…and Louie believed that story for years.

After college I visited Paul and Jackie on occasion and was surprised to see her influence on him in the gardening world…who would’ve known? He loved Jackie and Clarke and his greatest regret was losing her. He quietly mourned that the rest of his life.

Did you know Paul taught himself to write in Arabic?

He loved music but was pretty much stuck in the late 60’s…think early Dylan. Oh, and Claudine Longet…that’s right – her. He had all of her albums.

During Paul’s later years we would drive around San Luis and visit old haunts…Avila Beach, Cal Poly, Morro Bay, Los Osos, See Canyon. We would reminisce and came to realize we both truly loved our years there.

Paul loved sea otters & homemade chili dogs (in fact during one of my last visits that’s what we had for dinner 3 nights in a row). He hated to drive and he loved Christmas lights.

We both fought some of the same demons, Paul recognizing his earlier than I did. If I’m not mistaken he had over 30 years sober through AA. During those years he was able to help others as well. Good on him.

My visits during Paul’s declining years became difficult for both of us. He had to move twice before his final move to Tampa so we spent a lot of time sorting, packing, mailing etc. He was in pain and watching him was hard...but we got it done.

I visited Paul in Tampa. We went to the Zoo, and he was able to walk around for about 3 hours…the longest I’d seen in years. Not many know it but I asked Paul once what his dream job would be and he replied “to work in a Zoo”. I was sorry we never made an effort toward that end.

I am so thankful he was able to spend his remaining 4 years with family. He was in the right place with the right people. Thank You Dan and Mary.

I have a lot of friends that I love dearly, some that go back to grade school. But my relationship with Paul was different…more academic I guess. I never had a brother, but Paul was as close as I’m ever going to get. I loved him and I’ll miss him…

I am so very sorry to hear of Paul’s passing. 

When I think about Paul, I remember his great wit, intelligence, insight, sense of humor, love of music,  and his living his life by marching to his own drum. He followed his own path, and did not value wealth or money.   He was sensitive and compassionate. He was a believer and I share his love of the old hymns and the organ. You could always talk to Paul knowing there’d be some laughs and intelligent, thoughtful commentary on the subject at hand.

One memory of Paul that will always stay with me was when all the young Johnson cousins were staying at the Bostrom house and sleeping downstairs. Paul would blast Harry Nilsson’s “Gotta Get Up” in the morning as reveille! It was great! He also introduced me to  the Steve Miller Band and  “Quicksilver Girl”. Thank you, Paul! RIP.

❤️❤️ Sandy