Paul Dee Vernieu

As it must come to all men, mortal death came to Paul Dee Vernieu of Ogden, Utah on Thursday, January 6, 2011 at the age of 84 years. His passing was at Ogden Regional Medical Center due to cardiac and respiratory failure. Paul was born in Salt Lake City on March 24, 1926, the second of six children, to John Godfrey Vernieu and Elsie Lucille Thomas. Soon thereafter, the family permanently moved to Ogden. He married Dorothy Mae Schieven on July 22, 1948 in Ogden at the old St. Paul Lutheran Church on 28th & Quincy. He graduated from Ogden High School in 1944. With an earlier hunting gunshot accident keeping him out of World War II, he went on to Weber Junior College and completed an A.S. in Pre-Law. He later attended the University of Utah, earning a B. S. in Political Science and in English, and an L.L.B from the University of Utah College of Law. In high school, he delivered ice for home ice-boxes, and later was a railroad clerk for Pacific Fruit Express. His law career began with the law firm of Young, Thatcher & Glasmann. Other positions included Assistant Ogden City Attorney, prosecutor in the Weber County Attorney's Office, private law practice, and the Utah State Tax Commission. However, he felt his most worthwhile time was spent as director of Weber County Bar Legal Aid Services, and later managing attorney of the Ogden Office of Utah Legal Services. Paul was a true humanitarian and felt a moral obligation and commitment to the underserved in the legal system. He had a motto, "Too many of us want justice for just us". He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church where he held positions of choir director, elder and president of the congregation. He enjoyed playing bridge, golfing, camping, and carpentry projects, but most of all fly-fishing on the Bechler River in Yellowstone. He is survived by Dorothy, his wife of 62 years, Paulette (Bill) Herman of Ogden, Bill of Flagstaff, AZ, Michelle (Zack) Tanner of Ogden, Craig of Ogden; grandchildren Jennifer, Elizabeth, Suzanne, Zack, Dean & Liz; and seven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by brothers John, Richard, James, and sister Joan Ross He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Charles. Special thanks to Pastor Gary Trickey, Dr. Gil Caillouet, Dr. Van Christiansen, Dr. Nameer Qader and nurses Elin & Allie. Memorial service will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 3329 Harrison Blvd., Ogden, UT, Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 11:00 a.m., with a visitation the evening prior from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the memorial service. Please consider a donation to St. Paul Lutheran Church or Ogden High School Capital Campaign (www.restoreogdenhigh.org) in memory of Paul.