September 26, 1943 – May 12, 2022

Paul Raymond Dever passed away, peacefully, on Thursday, May 12, 2022, at the age of 78 years. His wife Pati was with him at the time. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on September 26, 1943. Paul grew up in Euclid, Ohio and lived in the state of Ohio until moving to Reno, Nevada in 1974.

Paul is survived by his wife, Pati Dever, of Anacortes, Washington, his sister-in-law Peggy Dever of Houston, Texas, his son, Joseph Dever, his daughter Christine Hackathorn, and his grandchildren Tiffani, Ryan, David and Dylan Dever, and Areanna, Gabrielle, and Hailey Hackathorn, all from Willowick, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Marie Dever, his brother, Robert Dever, his son-in-law John Hackathorn, and his grandson Tyler Dever.

Paul attended Case Western University, majoring in Business Management while working at a Brokerage Firm in downtown Cleveland. After college, though, he began a career in computer systems design. This eventually led to a computing management position in Reno, Nevada where he met his future bride, Pati. The Computer Processing System where they worked was taken over by Boeing, and Paul & Pati were transferred to Seattle in 1977.

Paul and Pati were married on February 17, 1978. They lived in Bellevue, Washington, for over 20 years. While working for Boeing, Paul traveled extensively across the US, overseeing the installation of computing systems for Boeing.

Through 25 years of working at Boeing he always supported his employees and they held him in high regard. During ups and downs at Boeing that was a difficult task, but Paul was a steadfast manager for his staff. He had a strong work ethic which probably started on his first job when he was 4 years old, delivering papers.

A co-worker/friend of Paul’s at Boeing sent this note about him: “We worked together for several years, until the group was dissolved due to corporate realignment. He was given the task of “shutting down” the division through multiple milestones. Paul referred to himself as the “Bagman” because he said he was always left holding the bag at the end of one of those efforts. He did a wonderful and caring job for the employees that were being displaced. The nickname stuck and he was “The Bagman” thereafter”.

Upon arrival in the Seattle area Paul and Pati were excited about the boating possibilities in the Puget Sound and Canada. They embarked on long and happy adventures in their various boats. After retiring in 1998, they spent months at a time on their boat, Cracklin’ Rosie, in the San Juan Islands and Canada. They made many new boating friends on these trips. Paul was a great chef and worked miracles in the boat galley cooking up wonderful seafood dishes for family and friends.

The couple loved vacationing in Hawaii. They traveled there frequently and enjoyed fishing and golfing while there. Paul caught a 454# Blue Marlin on one trip. That was the highlight of his many fishing trips with Pati. They enjoyed whale watching, snorkeling, and simply enjoying the warm weather and ambiance of Hawaii every February.

Paul & Pati moved to Anacortes in 2000. They shared many happy hours on the boat, with friends, crabbing and fishing to their heart’s content. In 2010 they moved to Cleveland, Ohio to be with Paul’s children and their seven grandchildren. They had lots of fun watching the grandkids playing soccer, football, & baseball games whenever possible. They also organized project days to celebrate holidays, including decorating pumpkins, making Christmas wreaths, and painting rocks for the garden.

In 2015 they moved back to Anacortes. Pati’s health was deteriorating due to the extreme climate in Cleveland. They found a house with a wonderful water view that they enjoyed every day.

Paul had a wonderful life, and he was loved by all who knew him. He had an even temper, a sweet smile, a wry sense of humor, and most important of all - a loving marriage of 43 years with Pati. He will be greatly missed by family and friends.

A Sacred Moment Funeral Services are caring for Paul. He requested that his ashes be sprinkled in the waters off Lime Kiln Lighthouse on San Juan Island, Washington – where he and Pati often saw the Orca Whales swimming.

FUNERAL INFORMATION

A celebration of life will be scheduled sometime in the future.