Paul Leon Gadaire Jr.

Paul Gadaire Jr, 92, of Pendleton OR, passed away peacefully at home on December 29, 2025 surrounded by his loved ones.

He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Paul was born on October 12, 1933 to Mary Ellen Gadaire and Paul Sr. Gadaire in Worcester, MA. After graduating from Northborough High School in 1951, he joined the US Airforce and served in Japan for 3 years during the Korean war and then completed the remainder of his service in Condon, OR.

He met the love of his life, Carol Greer Smith in Pendleton, OR in 1958, and moved along with Carol and her 3 sons to Northborough, MA where they were married.

He adopted Gary, Steven and David, whom he adored. He and Carol welcomed daughter Michele soon after. He completed college, while working at Digital Equipment Corp. where he worked for 33 years as the Environmental Safety Engineer. In his "spare time", he volunteered at the Northborough Fire Dept, and was promoted from Captain to Deputy Fire Chief. He was actively involved in the Boy Scouts as a Scout Leader, and led the troop to a record number of Eagle Scouts!

 In 1993 Paul retired, and they returned to Pendleton to care for Carol's aging parents, Evelyn and Cecil Greer. They remained in Pendleton for the next 33 years. 

He enjoyed helping people in many ways including volunteer work with the Main Street Cowboys, where he served a term as President, the VFW, The Ford Foundation and Habitat for Humanity. He was actively involved in the Methodist Church, and enjoyed singing with the Pendleton Men’s Chorus. He was also chosen for Pendleton Man Of The Year!

He is preceded in death by his 3 sons, Gary, Steven, and David as well as his grandson Alex, his sister Barbara, niece Kim, and nephew Rick.

He is survived by his wife Carol and daughter Michele and her husband Steve Sheppard of Bend, OR, daughter-in-laws Cindy, Gwen and Kaye, his niece Laurie (Russ) Clark, as well as 16 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and many beloved extended family members and friends.

Services will be held at Pendleton Pioneer Chapel at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 24, 2026.

A gathering for family and friends will be held immediately following, at the First Christian Church.

Further service details are listed below.