Paul W. Cullen, 83

Paul W. Cullen of Ronan passed peacefully away April, 28, 2018, at the Cullen ranch surrounded by family and friends.

He was born to L.E. “Tut” and Edna Cullen July 13, 1934, in Belt, Montana. He moved with his parents to what was to become the “Cullen Ranch” at the age of 3 and discovered paradise. He was later joined by three siblings, Virginia, Joseph and Carol. Unfortunately, a yellow school bus arrived and “changed his world.” He preferred to farm, work with the animals, go hiking with his friends, work on cars, and occasionally dismantle a tractor, only to find it intact on some poor soul’s roof.

He graduated from Round Butte High School and was drafted into the Army, just as the Korean conflict ended. He spent his service in Germany, where he enjoyed many hours with his friend Connie, who had previously lived with the Cullen family in Round Butte as a high school exchange student. While there he was partly responsible for a nuclear gun, learned telecommunications, how to make a bed, shine shoes and say “rise and shine” in German. He took up photography with the Agfa camera he bought, and practiced the art of beer tasting. He was skilled as a sharp-shooter, earning medals. He returned to the U.S. via the pond on a military ship.

Paul settled in the Libby area, logging initially, then was involved in construction of the Libby mill, where he then worked as the head sawyer for about 10 years. He was married to Martha A. Reimer after a six-month courtship and one week engagement in Jan. 1958. They were gifted with five children while living there, Laurence, Raymond, Beverley, Beth and Zeldene. They bought a house, which he added on to, and had many a barbecue with friends and relatives in the big backyard, even a horse or two.

He saved his earnings and eventually bought the ranch in Round Butte from Tut and Edna in 1968, his “life’s dream.” In the early years, two more boys were born to the family in Round Butte, Brian and Michael. He took under his wing Don Bell and his foster daughter Marie Westphall, as if they were his own children. He raised Hereford cattle on the ranch, enjoying his neighbors and friends. He was involved for many years in the 4-H, Grange, Cattlemen’s Association, and in starting the auction at the county fair, and the Mission Valley Heritage Association. He loved working together with others, teaching young people about animal husbandry, farming, auto mechanics, and inspired some to weld metal, make knives and even create art. He created a very prolific art collection of metal sculpture, as well as woodworking and other mediums. He loved the stock car called “Ferdinand,” a Nomad with the steering wheel in the rear of the vehicle.

Paul was involved in the effort to ship the calves to market each fall to Omaha, Nebraska, via train. He loved to ride in the caboose and doctor the calves on the way and, once there, in the auction yards. Later the traveling was done in the infamous dual gas-tanked ‘65 Chevy station wagon, along with his shipping partners.

At the end of his trails he preferred to remain at home where he was always most comfortable and where he achieved his life’s goal to pass the Cullen ranch on to his descendants as a legacy of a life well lived.

Paul was preceded in death by his wife, Martha A. Cullen; their children, Laurence Wesley Cullen, Raymond Roy Cullen and Zeldene Joy Cullen; and his parents, L.E. “Tut” and Edna Cullen.

Paul is survived by his siblings, Virginia (Paul) Miller of Libby, Joseph (LaDonna) Cullen of Amarillo, Texas, and Carol Bryant of Ronan; his children, Bev (Chad) Hoover of Round Butte, Beth Donelan of Seattle, Brian Cullen of Vernal, Utah, and Michael (Christine) Cullen of Ronan; 12 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, as well as numerous honorary grand and great-grandchildren.

In the famous last words of Paul, “And we go.”

Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 3, at the Ronan Cemetery with fellowship to follow at the Cullen Ranch in Round Butte.

Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at www.shriderthompson.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Shrider-Thompson Funeral Home.