euskalkultura.eus

12/31/2016 - Boise, ID, USA

(1941 - 2016)

(Published in Idaho Statesman from Jan. 4 to Jan. 11, 2017)

An amazing Basque man has left us. Paul Luis Jauregui, 75, of Boise passed away peacefully on December 31, 2016, at St. Luke's Hospital surrounded by his loving family.

Paul was born on October 21, 1941, in Compton, California, the second child of Luis and Mary Imogene Jauregui. Paul joined an older sister, Mary, and they were later joined by two younger brothers, John and Jim. After moving from California to Idaho at an early age, Paul's family lived in Dietrich, Shoshone, and Pocatello, Idaho. During this time, he enjoyed adventures with his Chatfield cousins and fishing the Little Wood River. In 1954, Paul's family moved to Meridian, Idaho, where he graduated from Meridian High School in 1959. Paul then attended the University of Idaho, obtaining his undergraduate degree in education in 1963 and law degree in 1968. He was a member of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity. Paul married Judy Burns in 1965 and they started a family of three children, Heather, Mark, and Molly. They later divorced. Paul then married Vickie Kelley in 1982 and they had two sons, Ryan and Nicholas.

Following graduation from the University of Idaho, Paul worked briefly for the Idaho Legislative Council drafting legislation, including his favorite of establishing slow vehicle turnouts of which he was very proud. Paul then joined Idaho Power Company where he enjoyed a long and distinguished career as Vice President, General Counsel/Secretary in the Legal Department. He retired as Vice President of Human Resources.

Paul remained a proud Vandal throughout his life and loved breaking out in the Vandal fight song, particularly when any BSU fans were around. If you want to do something in remembrance of Paul, raise a glass of really good Scotch and sing the Vandal fight song. He will be smiling down upon you.

Paul enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren play their sports, trading in the stock market, his monthly coffees and lunches with the ROMEOs (Retired Old Men Eating Out) and, most recently, taking RV trips to see family and sites across the country with his wife, Vickie. Paul also tremendously loved his annual steelhead fishing trips to Riggins, Idaho, with his good friend Steve Arnt.

Paul had many "Paulisms" as his family called them that just made Paul who he was, always a character, funny, and witty. When asked how he was doing, Paul would inevitably reply, "I'm just chirpin' and burpin' and eatin' dirty worms." If he saw someone working particularly hard, he would say, "They're busier than a one arm paper hanger." And anyone who was Facebook friends with Paul knew his response to almost all posts was "Cool cool."

Paul is survived by his wife of 34 years, Vickie; daughter Heather Jauregui and her fiancé Dr. Matt Macha, of Boise; son Mark Jauregui and his fiancé Meghan Duffy, of Mill Valley, California; daughter Molly Jauregui Hill and her husband Waylon Hill, of Winnemucca, Nevada; son LT Ryan Jauregui USN and his wife LT Angie Jauregui USN, of Fallon, Nevada; son Nicholas Jauregui, of Portland, Oregon; 14 grandchildren, who lovingly call him Papa, Pops, and Grandpa Paul; his first great grandchild due shortly; sister Mary Decker, of Kimberly, Idaho; brother John and his wife Christy, of Garden Valley, Idaho; brother Jim and his wife Tammie, of Eagle, Idaho; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; a loving family on the Kelley side; and his beloved dog Amia.

To his children: Your Dad would tell you to continue to do good things. To his grandchildren: He would tell you that education is important so study hard and do your best, take responsibility for your actions, and mind your parents.

Cremation arrangements were with Boise Funeral Home. No services are planned at this time but in keeping with Paul's wishes, the family will hold a Life Celebration in his honor in early summer 2017 with lots of good food, good drinks, good music, and a time for sharing Paul stories. A notice will be published in early summer with details for those wishing to attend. Following the celebration, Paul's immediate family will fulfill his final wish of spreading his ashes at Riggins where he went steelhead fishing every fall. We miss and love you, Paul, so very much, but we promise we will misbehave properly in your honor until we meet again. As they say in the Navy, fair winds and following seas. Love and kisses, your family

If you would like to make a donation in Paul's memory, the family suggests making a contribution to the important work being done by the Humphries Diabetes Center in Boise.