On the morning of May 17, Judge Paul F. Bonnell passed away due to complications from a stroke. He was 81 years old. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lorraine Bonnell, who died on Easter Sunday in 2003.

Paul was born Jan. 5, 1926, in Trenton, Neb., to Frank and Jessie Bonnell. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1944. Though the war ended before he saw action, Paul remained in the service until 1946. He then attended the University of Washington, where he met Lorraine Young. Paul and Lorraine were married in September of 1949 at Sigma Kappa.

Paul's passion was for the law. He graduated from the UW School of Law in 1950 and passed the Washington Bar exam the next year. Paul began his career doing private practice in Ephrata and Othello. He also worked as an attorney for the State Highway Department I-5 project. In 1964, Paul was elected Roxbury District Court Judge. He won two re-elections and served until 1976, when he started a personal injury private practice in Burien. Paul retired in 2002 after 51 years in the field of law.

Paul's life was more than the office. He loved walking the beach at Ocean Shores and backpacking in the Cascades. He was an avid cook who delighted in large family meals at holidays. Paul also enjoyed jewelry making, cutting his own gems, mushroom hunting and gift giving.

Paul is survived by sons Frank, David and James, daughter Susan, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 23, at North SeaTac Community Center, 13735 24th Ave. S., from 12 to 4 p.m. Please bring your stories and memories of Paul.