Paul Charles Brash, 49

Paul Charles Brash, 49, passed away Dec. 11, 2010, at his home in Columbia Falls after a long battle with diabetes.

Paul was born Oct. 1, 1961, to Darrel Gene Brash and Jean Dewey Brash in Britton, S.D.

At the age of 5, Paul moved with his family to Whitefish. He attended schools in Whitefish, graduating from high school in 1979. He attended University of Montana Technical School and became a certified surgical technologist.

Paul married Penny Flanagan in 1981.

In 2000, he married Linda Williams and is survived by her at their home in Columbia Falls.

Paul was an avid fisherman and spent many hours on the rivers and lakes of Montana, especially Lake Frances near Valier. Paul was employed by Shane Hatfield at Glacier Clean Car Wash in Columbia Falls.

Paul was active in youth baseball activities and spent many hours coaching, umpiring and working on the ball fields. He was a member of the North Valley Search and Rescue in Columbia Falls and worked with the Montana Eye Bank through the Lions organization. Paul was a huge fan of Wildcat sports, especially basketball, and followed the team’s season with zeal.

Paul fought a long battle with diabetes with courage, grace and determination, without complaint through his many physical difficulties.

He is survived by his wife, Linda of Columbia Falls; children, Calvin Williams and wife, Wendy of Kalispell; grandchildren, Caleb and Chloe, Samantha and Keith Butler of Columbia Falls, and Kyla Williams of Columbia Falls; his parents, Joe and Jean Voermans of Columbia Falls; brothers, Vance Brash of Columbia Falls, and Jake Voermans of Whitefish; sisters, Judy and husband, Dru Willey of Mesquite, Nev., and Jennifer and husband, Clark Wheeler of Whitefish; grandmother, Doris Voermans; nephews, Brandon Brash, Jeffery and Timothy Willey, and Harry and Joe Wheeler; niece, Andrea and Waylon Zuther and family; and his mother-in-law, Jimmie Sue Coulter.

Paul was preceded in death by his father, Darrel Brash; grandparents, Charles and Vivian Dewey, Gladys Brash and Joe Voermans Sr.

Memorial contributions may be made to North Valley Search and Rescue, P.O. Box 2041, Columbia Falls, MT 59912.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 27, at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls.