Paul Kelly Kikuchi, 69, passed away on March 31, 2023, at his home in St. George, UT, due to cancer.
Paul was born on February 26, 1954 to George and Mary Kikuchi in Quincy, WA. After graduating Quincy High School, he attended Bellevue and Bellingham colleges. He then took a managerial position at Pay-N-Pak which brought him to Utah where he met and married Collette. They had one daughter, Danielle.
Throughout his career, he also worked at Fleming, Eagle, Great Western, and retired from UDOT. He worked hard to provide for his family and spent his free time serving others. He provided 21 years of volunteer service to Salt Lake County Aging & Adult Services and also taught children about financial literacy through the Junior Achievement program. He looked forward to continuing to serve and teach others in the afterlife.
He was an active member of the Wasatch Hiking Club and would hike Potato Hill near his Draper home nightly. With great determination he conquered the highest peaks in Utah, Colorado, and California, as well as completing the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim twice.
Paul is survived by his wife Collette, daughter Danielle (Trey), brother Neil (Marie), and mother Mary. He was preceded in death by his father, George.
The family would like to thank Nurse Hailee and Atlas hospice for their wonderful care. Paul chose to donate his body to research, so he could continue to teach and make a difference. Per his wishes, there will be no formal funeral or memorial services.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Junior Achievement, a local food bank, Huntsman Cancer Institute, or Primary Children’s Hospital.
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Cindy Lou Poliska
Paul and I shared Meals on Wheels Route V30 in Sandy for multiple years. He knew our recipients so well and always had their best interests at heart. He cared deeply about what he did and took the time get to know everyone on his routes. I still have meal recipients that ask about him. Paul would often reach out to me to let me know about someone on our route with special needs or interests. It was an honor to work with him. He helped me a better Wheeler and person. Peace to his family and friends.
Paul and I shared Meals on Wheels Route V30 in Sandy for multiple years. He knew our recipients so well and always had their best interests at heart. He cared deeply about what he did and took the time get to know everyone on his routes. I still have meal recipients that ask about him. Paul would often reach out to me to let me know about someone on our route with special needs or interests. It was an honor to work with him. He helped me a better Wheeler and person. Peace to his family and friends.
Paul and I shared Meals on Wheels Route V30 in Sandy for multiple years. He knew our recipients so well and always had their best interests at heart. He cared deeply about what he did and took the time get to know everyone on his routes. I still have meal recipients that ask about him. Paul would often reach out to me to let me know about someone on our route with special needs or interests. It was an honor to work with him. He helped me a better Wheeler and person. Peace to his family and friends.
On behalf of Salt Lake County Aging and Adult Services, we would like to extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathy to Paul’s family and friends. Paul graciously donated his time as a volunteer for the County for 21 years. After he retired, he volunteered on a full-time basis delivering meals for the Meals on Wheels Program and provided medical related transportation for the Rides for Wellness Program. In his 21 years of service, he delivered thousands of meals and provided thousands of rides to life-sustaining treatments for our aging community.
Paul’s absence from he County was felt when he moved to St. George. But his absence is felt even more deeply now knowing that he’s passed. Paul’s devotion to our community was the very embodiment of the County’s Core Values: he treated everyone with RESPECT, served with INTEGRITY, CARED about others, and strived for EXCELLENCE. Paul was indeed a true champion for older adults.
On a personal note, I will miss the creative codes he used when providing transportation. My favorite was, “code yellow”. Meaning, he needed a restroom break (LOL). May your light continue to shine bright and may we all take comfort in the warmth of your eternal sunshine.
Sincerely, Francisca Franco (Rides for Wellness Program Manager)
Paul was such a light and brought such joy to those around him. I got to meet him through volunteering at Meals on Wheels. He had such a cheerful way of interacting with our elderly clients and made everyone he served feel seen and important. The world is a better place because of Paul.
Paul was such a light and brought such joy to those around him. I got to meet him through volunteering at Meals on Wheels. He had such a cheerful way of interacting with our elderly clients and made everyone he served feel seen and important. The world is a better place because of Paul.
What a great guy! Paul was such a nice man and I looked forward to our quick chats as he walked passed our house. He was so quick to ask about others that you never got a chance to ask how he was. Paul always went out of his way to see if we needed help with anything. Paul was a guy had I knew he was ill I would have been there everyday but as humble as he was he never gave me a clue. The last thing I said to him recently was hey is everything good I haven't seen you walking around, and here is the guy that he was says to me we are doing great it's just been cold out. I miss him and wish I could have spent more time with him.
What a great guy! Paul was such a nice man and I looked forward to our quick chats as he walked passed our house. He was so quick to ask about others that you never got a chance to ask how he was. Paul always went out of his way to see if we needed help with anything. Paul was a guy had I knew he was ill I would have been there everyday but as humble as he was he never gave me a clue. The last thing I said to him recently was hey is everything good I haven't seen you walking around, and here is the guy that he was says to me we are doing great it's just been cold out. I miss him and wish I could have spent more time with him.
I met Paul through the Wasatch Mountain Club. After getting to know him we were always so happy when he showed up for an activity. His positive attitude and love of the outdoors filtrated through the entire group. Not only was he a strong hiker but an absolutely great companion to share the mountains with. Shasta and I will miss you dearly.
I met Paul through the Wasatch Mountain Club. After getting to know him we were always so happy when he showed up for an activity. His positive attitude and love of the outdoors filtrated through the entire group. Not only was he a strong hiker but an absolutely great companion to share the mountains with. Shasta and I will miss you dearly.
Paul and I have been friends since first grade. He always saw the humorous side of things, and we had a great many adventures together, particularly in high school! He will be missed.
Paul and I have been friends since first grade. He always saw the humorous side of things, and we had a great many adventures together, particularly in high school! He will be missed.
Paul and I have been friends since first grade. He always saw the humorous side of things, and we had a great many adventures together, particularly in high school! He will be missed.
We were blessed to live next door to Paul and Collette Kikuchi (actually sharing a common wall), for 15 years. Not only were they the best neighbors ever, we were able to witness on so many occasions Paul’s total and absolute generosity to us and to our neighbors (often with an assist from Collette). It was nearly impossible to compensate or even offer a thank you gift for his assistance for anything and everything that he helped us and many of our neighbors with….always with his genuine and beautiful smile. We are grateful for the many driveway get-togethers for us and several of our near-by neighbors where Paul and Collette treated us to apple pie and ice cream and where we shared laughs and solved most of the world’s problems. We are grateful to them for being the kindest adopted uncle and auntie for our two little pups and for saving them from crossing their little legs by pottying them at a moments’ notice when we were out and delayed. Many times we came home to an empty house only to find our puppies frolicking and being spoiled at the Kikuchi home! We can’t count the number of times treats were waiting for us on our front porch, and we always knew where they came from! Paul…..you will always be missed, and you will always remain in a special place in our hearts. Heaven is a happier place because you are there!
We were blessed to live next door to Paul and Collette Kikuchi (actually sharing a common wall), for 15 years. Not only were they the best neighbors ever, we were able to witness on so many occasions Paul’s total and absolute generosity to us and to our neighbors (often with an assist from Collette). It was nearly impossible to compensate or even offer a thank you gift for his assistance for anything and everything that he helped us and many of our neighbors with….always with his genuine and beautiful smile. We are grateful for the many driveway get-togethers for us and several of our near-by neighbors where Paul and Collette treated us to apple pie and ice cream and where we shared laughs and solved most of the world’s problems. We are grateful to them for being the kindest adopted uncle and auntie for our two little pups and for saving them from crossing their little legs by pottying them at a moments’ notice when we were out and delayed. Many times we came home to an empty house only to find our puppies frolicking and being spoiled at the Kikuchi home! We can’t count the number of times treats were waiting for us on our front porch, and we always knew where they came from! Paul…..you will always be missed, and you will always remain in a special place in our hearts. Heaven is a happier place because you are there!