Paul LeRoy Laymance

Paul Leroy Laymance, 85, passed away peacefully on January 14, 2019 in Mesquite, NV. Paul was born on May 28, 1933 in Mansfield, WA to Walter Eben Laymance and Ida Mae Lowe, Ida passed away early in Paul’s life, and Walter married Florence Mae Harvey, who adored and helped raise Paul. Paul married his sweetheart, Karen Lynn Friedrich, in Wenatchee, WA on April 4, 1953.

Paul did not watch life pass him by. He was a pilot of small airplanes and operated an aerial application business providing crop protection to farmers in Eastern Washington. In his free time, he and Karen shot trap, golfed, traveled, and spent many hours solving the problems of the world while fishing near and on Lake Roosevelt in Washington State. In his later years, he and Karen became snow-birds in Mesquite, NV it was while in Nevada he sharpened his knack for Texas Hold’em, poker, rummy, pinochle, and learned to play Bridge at the tender age of 83. Paul also loved to play bean bag baseball at Desert Skies Resort, his retirement home. 

Paul was a patriot and served two years in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. When discharged, he worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington State as a produce inspector. He was very intelligent and proactive. He served both on the National Board and the Washington State Board of Aerial Applicators Association. He was president of the State association for 8 consecutive years doing battle for his occupation (WenAirCo, head quartered at Fancher Field, East Wenatchee, in Olympia, WA with his good friend and competitor, Fred Scamen, Cascade Helicopters. He made many trips to Washington D.C. as a member of the National Board where his longtime friendship with Tom Foley, future Speaker of the House was invaluable. Paul ran unsuccessfully for Douglas County Commissioner in 1968. It was pointed out to him that he was not a very good politician. When asked a question, he gave his honest opinion - not necessarily what the person wanted to hear. He later became involved with the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival and Applarians acting as Assistant Director General in 1980. When casino events were legalized for charity, Paul spent many hours organizing and overseeing those events as fund raisers for local non-profit entities. He also was available to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department for Air, Search and Rescue. Paul was an experienced pilot with over 10,000 hours in a 180 Cessna, Super Cub, and other small aircraft, and was called upon to help locate missing persons by air. Paul raised his family in Wenatchee, WA before spending his golden years in Mesquite, NV with Karen. He was glad he and Karen had married so young so they could spend more time together. They had 65 years, 9 months, and 10 days together. He was a family man, and his children, grand-children, and great-grandchildren were his greatest pride and joy.

Paul is survived by his wife; Karen L. (Friedrich) Laymance, his children; Brenda (Gordon Cockrum and Brett (Victoria Pearson) Laymance; his grandchildren; Melissa (Matthew) Wilson, Erin (Adam) Bacon, Trevor Laymance, and Marshall Laymance, and his five great-grandchildren; Kennedee, Harper, Colton, Liam, and Eben. He is preceded in death by his parents; Walter and Ida Laymance, his stepmother; Florence Harvey and siblings; Chester Laymance, Glen Laymance, and Inez Wall.

Please join us for a Celebration of Paul’s Life on Friday, June 14, 2019, beginning at 1:00 p.m. and the United Protestant Church, 130 2nd ave., Mansfield, WA. A luncheon and fellowship will follow at the Pioneer Club, 28 No. Main St., Mansfield, WA. All attendees are welcome. The family would like to invite you to leave a message or memory in their Guest Book at www.virginvalleymortuary.com.

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