J. Paul Tegan

BURLEY – James Paul Tegan had a joyful reunion with his wife and sweetheart, Berniece, after relenting to a lengthy illness on Sept. 13, 2016, while in care in Salt Lake City Utah. He was 83.

Paul was born Aug. 31, 1933, in Washington, Utah, the eldest son of James Thomas and Lucille (Burgess) Tegan. When he was three years old he moved to Burley, Idaho. He attended grammar school at View and Springdale and high school at Burley High School, where he graduated in 1952. He also attended Brigham Young University for one quarter.

In 1953, Paul began courting Berniece Patterson, knowing almost immediately that she was meant to be his bride. They became engaged in August of that year. He was then called to serve a mission to Denmark for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Two-and-a-half years later he returned and he and Berniece were married in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple for time and all eternity on Aug. 16, 1956. They would have celebrated 60 years together this year. One month after they were married, Paul was called to serve in the US Army. He was stationed at Fort Huachuca, Ariz., for two years active duty, then home to Burley, continuing to serve in the Army Reserves for the next four years.

He worked for potato processing plants for 18 years before heeding his true calling as a craftsman. He built his first house for his parents and moved his young family into his childhood home which he moved, remodeled and redesigned. He spent the remainder of his working years building and remodeling homes, restoring old homes, such as the Haight House in Oakley, and doing finish work including cabinets, clocks, etc. He was known for his artistic flair and strove for perfection in all he did.

Paul and Berniece had five children: Tamra (Jerry) Ovard, Salem, Ore.; James Leonard Tegan (deceased); Teri (Scott) Tolman of Boise, Idaho; Paula (Ron) Furden of Salt Lake City, Utah; and Trena (Troy Anderson) Tegan of Burley. They also have 12 grandchildren and 20-plus great-grandchildren.

Paul is survived by his four daughters; and his brother, Gary (Gloria) Tegan of Raft River, Idaho. He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Berniece Patterson Tegan; his sister, Aleene Tegan; brothers, Blaine Tegan, Bruce Tegan and Byron Tegan; and his son, James Leonard Tegan.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 23, at the View LDS Church, 490 E. 550 S., Burley, with Bishop Art Thornton officiating. Burial will follow at the View Cemetery with military honors provided by the Mini-Cassia Veterans Organization.

A viewing for family and friends will be held from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, at Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Friday, at the church prior to the service.