Arnie Christian Paulsen, Jr., 71, of Salt Lake City, Utah, passed away peacefully on October 8, 2026, after complications with cancer treatment.

Born on April 4, 1955, in Salt Lake City, Utah, Arnie was the first son of Arnold and Goldie Paulsen. He graduated from Brighton High School and spent his career in steel fabrication, eventually co-founding AVM Steel with two close friends.

Arnie could fix, build, or figure out almost anything. A true handyman and jack-of-all-trades, he spent much of his free time helping others repair cars or tackle projects around their homes. He never hesitated to lend a hand and would gladly drive hundreds of miles to help a friend stranded on the side of the road.

Even as a child, Arnie was fascinated by how things worked. He would take apart anything he could get his hands on, only to put it back together again. He was never afraid of a challenge and approached everything he did with determination, optimism, and a positive attitude.

Arnie loved restoring cars and recently won several car show awards for his beloved truck, Thunder, which he built from the ground up alongside his son, Kevin. Everyone who knew him understood that his true passion was waterskiing. Whenever possible, he could be found at the lake, trick skiing, slalom skiing, wakeboarding, or barefooting. He loved introducing others to the sport and firmly believed he could teach anyone to ski. He proudly loved to "ski the scum" at Utah Lake and to him, there was no better way to start the day than being on the water. Friends and family knew that if there was calm water to be found, Arnie would find it. Those camping with him would often be woken at sunrise to the sound of his boat taking off; he could never resist skiing on glass first thing in the morning.

He cherished his annual family camping trips and was never happier than when he was outdoors, surrounded by the people he loved. Whether on the lake, around a campfire, or working in the garage, Arnie created countless memories that his family and friends will treasure forever.

Arnie is survived by his children, Jamie (Sean), Brian (Jess), Kevin (Nicole), and Kimberly (Nate); his three grandchildren; his siblings, Maureen, Patti, Jane (Randy), Anne (Bill), and Larry (Sue); and his cousin and lifelong best friend, Joe (Cindi). He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Adele.

Above all, Arnie will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, and unwavering willingness to help others. He loved his children beyond words and leaves behind a legacy of hard work, adventure, friendship, and love. Though it feels impossible to express how much he meant to those who knew him, his influence will continue to be felt in every engine repaired, every project completed, every ski run across the water, and every act of kindness done in his memory. His family is deeply grateful for the love and support shown throughout his journey and for everyone who spent time with him during his final weeks.

A Celebration of Life will be held on October 24, 2026 beginning at 3PM at the South Valley Unitarian Universalist Society located at 6876 S Highland Dr, Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121. All are invited to stay for food and drink following the service.