Paul William Shogren

Long time Wasilla resident Paul Shogren, 77, peacefully passed away on February 18 at home. His wife, Barb, of 52 years was by his side.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on March 2 at 11:00 am with visitation beginning at 10:00am. There will be a reception following in the Church Social Hall. In the spring, a graveside service will be held at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Wasilla.

Paul was born on October 5, 1945 in Cranston, Rhode Island. He graduated from Cranston High School where he was an outstanding athlete. Paul graduated with an AA in Electronics from Wentworth Institute in Boston in 1967. He received a BA in Business from Bryant College in 1971 where he was enlisted in Army Reserve Officer Training (ROTC).

Paul and Barb were married on June 19, 1971 in Charlestown R.I. He entered the U.S. Army and became a proud member of the Military Police Corp. They were stationed in Fort Lee, Virginia, for 5 years and then transferred to Fort Richardson in 1975 where they spent the next 3 years and Paul achieved the rank of Captain. The moment Paul drove into Alaska, he was in love with “God’s Country” and knew he had found his home of 48 years.

In addition to his time in the US Army, Paul worked as a deckhand, a bartender, an expeditor on and off the Slope, and finally as a Corrections Officer from which he retired in 2011.

Paul loved his country and firmly upheld the Constitution. He was both a Lifetime and Golden Eagle member of the NRA.

In retirement he enjoyed traveling, spending time at his cabin on Susitna Lake, working on all types of projects in his garage, playing with his dogs and birds, and most of all, being with his family.

Paul’s family wrote: “Paul was an exceptional man; his integrity, faith, and bravery is an inspiration to his family and all those who knew him”.

Paul is survived by his wife, Barbara; his son and daughter-in-law, Jon-Paul and Kim Shogren; his daughter, Lara; his daughter and son-in-law, Lindsey and Paul Brattain; and his brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Betty Shogren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Elizabeth Shogren.

The family asks that donations be made to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital in lieu of flowers.