PAUL EDWARD JAMETSKY was born to Walter and Grace Jametsky on February 7, 1953, in Seattle, Washington. He passed peacefully on January 1, 2024, at his home in Kent, Washington, with his wife Chris and son David by his side.

Paul’s family is the legacy he left to the world. He and his former wife Sharon (Ellis) married in 1971 and had two sons, Jeffrey and David and a daughter, Jennifer. Paul loved his children fiercely and never hesitated to tell people how they had each become successful in their lives and how proud he was of them. When they were growing up, he taught them a strong work ethic, how to fix things (especially cars), and passed on his love of animals (especially dogs.) Paul dearly loved his grandchildren. He cherished spending time with them and being involved in their lives.

In 2008, Chris came into his life. Paul and Chris spent the next 15 years together, marrying in October of 2021. They shared a love of travel, taking at least one long trip each year, often covering over a thousand miles across several states in their truck and fifth wheel trailer, discovering new places and witnessing amazing sights along the way. Together they experienced many adventures, including visiting over fifteen National Parks, numerous National Monuments, and driving through at least 20 different states. Recently, they took two of Paul’s “bucket list” trips, flying to Nashville in 2021, and to Washington DC. in 2022.

Classic cars were a passion Paul developed in his early teens. He owned his first car before he was old enough to have a driver’s license. He started buying and restoring cars and always had at least one or two in the garage, in various stages of restoration, at all times throughout his life. One of his early favorites was a 1971 Nova SS, which he lovingly restored, with help from his kids and grandkids. The grandkids have fond memories of spending time in the garage, working on cars with “Papa.”

“Dorothy,” the 1973 Plymouth Duster he was in the process of working on, kept him going through chemo treatments for colon cancer throughout 2021 – 2022. Paul’s last completed project was “Blue Moon,” his beloved 1956 Ford F-100 pickup, which he proudly showed at many car events.

Another passion Paul enjoyed was his dogs. Loving Paul, meant you also had to love his dogs. He often talked about his favorites, including Nikki, who he even had a portrait painted of. Libby, a long-coat Akita, came into his life and forever endeared him to the Akita breed. Libby was a tiny ball of fluff, who Paul fell in love with when his daughter Jenn brought her to him at just 8 weeks. Libby grew into a gorgeous 130 lb. dog who went everywhere with Paul and attracted attention wherever they went. At the time of his passing, Paul’s “best girls” were also Akitas; his beloved Sequoia and her little sister, Suko.

Listening and dancing to live music were activities Paul thoroughly enjoyed. On Friday nights, Paul was a regular at “the club” at the casino, meeting up with a group of friends he’d collected there over 20 plus years.

Paul’s first job was at a gas station in White Center. He also worked at Northwest Glass Company, Boeing, and did demolition work in the family business, Statewide Construction, with his father and brothers. After his Dad’s passing, Paul was employed by Lee’s Sanitation/ Don Olson Construction, where he worked for 30 years. He then worked as a driver for AA American/SWAT Services until October of 2021.

Paul’s determination to live and maintain a positive outlook on life, even after losing his voice to laryngeal cancer in 2012, was beyond admirable. He didn’t let it slow him down, or keep him from talking to people, as he learned to communicate in a new way. After surviving throat cancer and living life to the fullest for 9 years, Paul was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2021. He fought hard and lived well beyond all predictions, through sheer will and courage, with Chris’ loving care and the amazing support from his team at Kline Galland Hospice.

Above all, those who knew Paul, would agree that he was the best friend and neighbor anyone could ever ask for. He would do anything for anyone. All a person had to do was ask, and Paul would be out the door to lend a hand. Many of those in his circle had been in his life for over 40 years.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Grace Jametsky and his brother, Terry Jametsky. He is survived by his wife Chris Carr, brothers, Robert Roberts and Walter (Bunny) Jametsky, his children Jeffrey Jametsky, David Jametsky, and Jennifer Annell; grandchildren, Trevor Montgomery, Taylor Jametsky-Crain (Travis), Brandon Deitchler, David Jametsky, Kyle Jametsky, and Cameron and Logan Annell.

A celebration of Paul’s life will be held at the Thunder Dome Car Museum in Enumclaw, Washington, where he will be remembered among the classic cars he loved. Since the beach was always his “ happy place” Paul’s ashes will be scattered in the ocean at Pacific Beach, Washington, in a private ceremony later this year.