Paul Reid Gillum

Paul Reid Gillum was born on June 22, 1949, to Pastor Donald and Mildred Gillum in Chicago, Illinois. Paul moved with his family to Grandview, Washington, and Milton-Freewater, Oregon, finally settling in Astoria. Paul completed his schooling in Astoria and graduated from high school in 1967.

In 1972, Paul married Jo Abing of Astoria, where they later raised their son, James.

Paul was preceded in death by his father, mother and sister, Barbara Bancroft. Strong in faith, Paul used his love of the Lord to guide him in helping all those who asked for it, and never asked for anything in return.

This is shown by the many hats Paul wore, including his service to our country in the U.S. Marine Corps from September 1968 to September 1974. He received several awards, including the Vietnam Service Medal with one star and the Combat Action Ribbon, while serving his country in the Vietnam War.

After concluding his service with the Marine Corps, he sought and gained employment with Medix Ambulance, and completed training as a paramedic. During his tenure with Medix, Paul volunteered as a reserve officer with the Astoria Police Department for several years, and attained the rank of lieutenant in the reserves.

In 1979, Paul gained full time employment with the Astoria Police Department as a police officer. During his 27 years of faithful and honorable service to the citizens of Astoria, Paul was decorated twice with the Medal of Valor for choosing to put himself in serious harm while protecting the lives of local citizens. In addition to serving as a patrol officer and detective for the Astoria Police Department, Paul was a sworn deputy U.S. Marshal in 1989, which allowed him and the city of Astoria’s police to patrol federal properties.

Also serving in the capacity as the law enforcement liaison for several Hollywood productions that were filmed in Clatsop County, Paul was involved with the safety and security of the filming of “The Goonies,” “Come See the Paradise,” “Short Circuit” and “Kindergarten Cop.” Another bit of Astoria’s history was that Arctic Circle was co-owned by Paul and his wife, Jo, and Dick and Paula Carey.

After his retirement from Astoria Police in 2006, Paul was asked to help the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office as a transport deputy. His faith in the Lord was his guide to become a church deacon at the Lewis and Clark Bible Church. Service to his community continued with his election to the Clatsop Community College Board of Directors. In 2015, the Oregon Community College Association presented Paul with a dedicated service award for 16 consecutive years of leadership.

His love and drive to be an accomplished fine artist began during his youth. Paul took classes with local artist Don Van Velzer and became adept at form, foundation and function. Later, under the tutelage of sculptor Stanley Wanlass, Paul became extremely accurate and proficient in the art of producing lost wax bronze sculptures. While his pieces of bronze art can be found in many institutions, one of his finest works was his restoration of Astoria’s Centennial fountain. The restored fountain is a legacy piece that now marks Astoria’s Bicentennial, and is located in the Maritime Memorial Park in Astoria’s Uniontown.

Paul was a loving husband, father, father-in-law, brother and mentor to many who knew him.

Paul leaves his light shining upon his wife Jo, son James, daughter in-law Laura, brother Tim, and foster brother John Hurt.

There will be a memorial service at Lewis and Clark Bible Church, 35082 Seppa Road, Astoria, Oregon, on Saturday, July 8, 2017, at 11 a.m. A potluck lunch reception at the church will immediately follow the service, with an opportunity for those who wish to share memories and stories of Paul. We are highly encouraging those who served with Paul at the Astoria Police Department, Medix Ambulance and Clatsop Community College to attend.