Paul Frederick Horak

Paul Frederick Horak, 75, of Odessa, Wash., passed away on Aug. 5, 2022. Paul was born in Odessa on April 26, 1947 to Frank and Mary Louise Geissler Horak Kern.

After graduating from high school in ’65, Paul played football for Eastern Washington (College) University. Paul often spoke fondly of those years, the games played, friends remembered, and classes missed. These stories always produced ear to ear smiles and addictive belly laughs. When his four years of football were up, he left college and started working construction in Spokane. He’d often point out buildings on the Spokane horizon and tell his kids of adventures and mishaps on the sites as they drove through the city, and with Paul, there were many.

After his father’s death in 1971, Paul came home and started working the family farm. He married Debra in 1982 and had three children. When Paul wasn’t farming, he could be found in his shop, Rocky Coulee Repairs, working on customers’ vehicles, or working on one of his many projects and hobby vehicles. Paul’s hobby collection included building hotrods, custom classics, and even some Mad Max inspired hunting vehicles and service rigs.

Paul enjoyed hunting and fishing, and always loved to share those adventures with friends, his children, and grandchildren. Paul also cherished his time as a coach. He helped coach the Odessa football team for many years and could often be found across the line from the students during practice scrimmages. He enjoyed teaching and watching the students participate in the sport that he loved.

Paul is survived by his wife of 40 years, Debra Horak; his children, Frank and Abby (Hatten) Horak, Leslie Horak, and Marcus Horak; his two brilliant, loving, and wild grandchildren Luna and Quinn; his sisters and brother, Anne (Horak) Haugen and her husband Jim, Steven Horak, and Carol Kniola; and many nieces and nephews.

Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Old Town Hall, Odessa, WA. Strate Funeral Home, Davenport, WA is caring for the family.