In Remembrance

Paul Edward Cline, Sr., 86, of Duluth, passed away peacefully on May 11, 2022, with family by his side. He is survived by, June, his loving and devoted wife of 46 years; 6 children, one step-son; 18 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren, two surviving sisters, Mary Renfroe (94) and Dorothy Burdick (92), and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, six brothers, two sisters, and his step-daughter.

Paul’s story began on May 29, 1935, in Tulare, California, born the eleventh child of Lewis and Zella Cline. He graduated from San Jose High School in 1953, then attended two years at Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa, where he became re-acquainted with Georgia Anderson, after first meeting while in grade school. They married in September 1955; a few months later Paul joined the United States Air Force in January 1956 and served 4 years on active duty at Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Illinois, and two years in the reserves in Sacramento.

Paul graduated from Sacramento State University with a BS in Mathematics in 1963 while working at Aerojet. He worked in the Aerospace Industry starting out as a scientific programmer and working his way up to Senior Systems Analyst. He designed and wrote software used in rocket science and radar systems that became part of the “Star Wars” military defense system. Paul also gave live support of missile launches, worked on the effects of micro miniaturization of computer hardware, and created the software/hardware for the “Conflict-area flight-control system” for the Marine Corp.

Paul and Georgia welcomed 5 children into their lives between 1956 and 1962: Stephanie, Paul (Eddie) Jr., Yvonne, Nathan, and Sharon. Paul enjoyed the traditional father role and moved frequently for work including Sacramento, and Santa Clara, California; El Paso, Texas (White Sands Missle Range); then Santa Barbara County, California, where Paul and Georgia divorced in 1968. While working on the Vandenberg AFB missile program, he nearly completed his master’s degree in Psychological Counseling from Chapman College from 1970 to 1973.

In 1974, Paul transferred to Eagan, MN, where shortly thereafter, he met June Hansen, along with her children, Vicki and Scott. Paul and June were married in January 1976, and they welcomed a daughter, Amy, in 1980. Paul and June enjoyed many entrepreneurial adventures together including resort ownership, farming, long haul trucking, and running a home daycare center. They enjoyed several retirement years in Mesa, Arizona, before settling in Duluth, MN in 2002.

May is mental health awareness month. Paul courageously sought help for his mental health starting in the 1960s, and beyond. He set an example of seeking help when needed, which gives courage to others struggling with mental health issues. Paul lived a full, and productive life with the love and support of his family, and as needed, mental health care providers.

An interment service will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery MN on June 30th, at 11:45 am.