Paul Renner

In Center, Colorado, October 28, 1928, a baby boy was born. He grew up to be a working man that tackled every storm. He wanted to be a cowboy, so he wore a cowboy hat, but as he grew up, he traded his Stetson for a trucker’s working cap. Paul Renner, was a logger, a miner, a semi-truck driver. He loved to hunt and fish. Not a lake fisherman, no one could keep up to him as he jumped streams to find the perfect hole to pull out brookies. He loved his mountains. Paul started working with his dad when he was seven years old at the sawmill and he impressed his dad’s boss as he helped to throw chains over the logs. At about age 10 he began to spend his summers cooking for his brothers and uncles working at the camp. Hansen’s Mill at Belas Creek was his absolute favorite place to be throughout his life! In his mid-late teens, he began to drive the log and lumber trucks on the rugged, dirt, southern Colorado roads. Truck driving would stick with him throughout his life.

Paul was the fourth child of eleven born to Edward and Bernice Renner. His father died in a mining accident when Paul was just 15. His mother remarried and six more siblings expanded his family. Paul loved his family. Paul married Eliza Atencio when they were teenagers. They had four children: Maryann, Nick, Roger and Gail. Those four were also raised in their early years at that beloved sawmill/lumber camp. Later, Paul had three more children with Cecilia Martinez: Paul, Norma (died as an infant), and Pauline. In 2014, he went to visit his older sister who was in hospice care in Denver, CO. There he met Mary Morrissey, a friend of his Denver family. A whirlwind courtship ensued and they were married in February of 2015. Over the years, Paul’s family has grown leaps and bounds. At the time of his passing, his children numbered six and he followed Mary’s two children in their lives. He had 17 grandchildren plus their spouses. Great grandchildren numbered 25 plus several spouses. Paul was blessed with a fifth generation of 12 great great grandchildren.

Hunting, fishing, mountains, forests, truck-driving, westerns, war movies, singing, a good hearty breakfast (any time of day), and the “occasional” trip to a casino were his pastime loves. His family and friends were his first loves.
Paul passed away April 9, 2024, following a brief illness. He leaves behind many to grieve his loss: his wife, Mary; children, Maryann, Nick (Margie), Roger (Gloria), Gail (David), Paul (Margaret), and Pauline; siblings Jake Renner, Ernestine Maes, Claude Sandoval, Ben Sandoval, Mike Sandoval, Al Sandoval, Tony Sandoval and Teresa Sandoval; scores of grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren; dozens of nieces and nephews; and numerous friends and neighbors. He was preceded in death by his parents Eduard and Bernice, his stepfather Patricio Sandoval, former wives Eliza Renner and Cecilia Martinez, daughter Norma, son Roger, and siblings Irma, Isaac, Sam, Stella, Cecil, Edward, Patricia, and Steve.
Anyone who met Paul Renner will not soon forget him and will find that he left their life a little warmer and a little fuller of love and laughter!

A visitation will be held on Wednesday April 17, 2024 from 3:00-6:00pm at Jay Chapel in Madera. A rosary will begin at 6:00pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday April 18, 2024 at 1:00pm at St. Joachim Catholic Church in Madera with burial following at Arbor Vitae Cemetery.