EARNSHAW, Paul Benjamin

The Verde Independent, Cottonwood, AZ Tuesday, July 12, 2011 Paul Benjamin Earnshaw was born January 31, 1940, in Phoenix, AZ, the son of Herbert Benjamin Earnshaw and Helen Carlos Earnshaw. Paul died July 7, 2011 in Phoenix, AZ. When Paul was four years old his father died, leaving his mother to raise three young children, Paul being the oldest. Paul attended school at Brophy Prep and St. Mary’s Catholic School. He graduated from Flagstaff High School and attended NAU. Growing up in Flagstaff he delivered newspapers and worked as a cowboy while attending school. As a cowboy they summered the cattle on the range located on the San Francisco Peaks, and wintered the cattle in the Sedona area. Paul has seen many changes over the years in the Flagstaff and Sedona areas. As a youth Paul was in 4-H, raising and showing cattle. He was in the Flagstaff Sheriff Reserve. As an adult he was a 4-H leader, Scoutmaster, and member of the Verde Valley Fair Association. Paul met his future wife, Merla Burgess, while they were in high school. They have been married for 49 years. Paul’s working life was in construction. He helped build portions of the Black Canyon Freeway, the road across the Glenn Canyon Dam, and the highway through the Virgin River Gorge, among other projects. In 1987 he started his own construction company, Mid-State Excavating, that is still being operated by his son. Paul was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in various positions. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, ranching, and meteorology. Throughout his life, and continuing still, he raised cattle to provide excellent beef for his family to enjoy. He is survived by his wife, Merla; daughters Shannon (Jim) Krueger of Michigan, Linda (Scott) Hansen of Utah, Jennifer (Mark) Warburton of Singapore; son Micah (Amanda) Earnshaw of Tolleson, Arizona; 12 grandchildren; and brothers Joe Earnshaw of New Mexico and John Earnshaw of New Mexico. Preceding him in death are his parents and his brother Herb Earnshaw. Paul was a hardworking, honest man who will be missed by his family and friends. Funeral services will be Saturday, July 16, 2011 at the LDS Church located at 1377 E. Hombre Drive, Cottonwood, AZ. Family visitation at 9:00am, funeral services at 10:00am. Arrangements by Bueler Funeral Home. Information provided by survivors.