James "Paul" Tuttle

James “Paul” Tuttle, age 74, of Grants Pass, Oregon died at home on Thursday, November 14, 2013 after a long struggle with pulmonary fibrosis.

A memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m., Friday, November 22, 2013 at River Valley Community Church, 405 NE 6th St. in Grants Pass. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Paul was born September 6, 1939 in Orchard Park, New York. After graduating from high school he joined the Air Force. He served for 20 years, became a Master Sargeant, worked in search and rescue and medical administration. Many of those years were spent in England and Turkey. He met his wife, Ruth, in a class in Monterey, California, and they were married on August 27, 1977. Paul then retired from the Air Force and they moved to Grants Pass to be close to her family. In 1978 Paul began a career in Real Estate. He started with Century 21, then moved to Gary Martin Realty where he spent 25 years, and finally with ReMax where he retired due to increasing health problems. Paul had become quite involved with the issues and policies of Real Estate at the local, state and national levels. He made over 30 trips to Washington DC to lobby for and against various legislations concerning real estate. Paul earned a Lifetime Political Achievement award and a Distinguished Service award from state and local associations in 2011. Paul has been an active member of the Grants Pass Lions Club since 1980. For many years he enjoyed grilling Lionburgers with fellow club members at the Josephine County Fair to support sight and hearing assistance in the community. He was named “Lion of the Year” in 2012. Paul was known for his service, care and dedication to those around him as well as his wonderful sense of humor.

In addition to his wife, Ruth, survivors include three children, Kim Lyons, of Livermore, CA; Jim Tuttle of East Concord, New York, and Andrew Tuttle of Washington; a sister, Caroline Dau of Forest Grove, Oregon; a nephew, Alan Dau , also of Forest Grove, Oregon, and five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Two sons, David and Ian Tuttle of New York preceded him in death.

Paul was a member of the Grants Pass Lions Club; Grants Pass Association of Realtors (GPAR); Oregon Association of Realtors (OAR); National Association of Realtors (NAR); (in the past- Grants Pass Sister City).

He volunteered at Grants Pass Lions Club (Sight and Hearing); Several Real Estate Organizations; in the past, Saddlebumpers 4-H Club.

Paul earned a private pilot’s license while stationed in Minot, North Dakota and enjoyed many hours of flying. He loved skiing at Mt. Bachelor every winter and loved all kinds of water sports in the summer. Camping, hiking, horseback riding and playing with the family Golden Retrievers were a big part of his life. The time he spent with his children and grandchildren was most precious to him.

Memorial donations may be made to Grants Pass Lions Club, P.O. Box 6, Grants Pass, Oregon, 97526; or to Wildlife Images, P.O. Box 36, Merlin, Oregon 97532.