Paul Smith Burningham, D.M.D. 1934 ~ 2005 Paul Smith Burningham, our beloved husband, father, Papa and friend returned to his Heavenly Father Friday, January 14, 2005 at age 70 after a long battle with heart disease. Paul was born September 3, 1934 in Salt Lake City, Utah the second of three sons born to George Leland Burningham and Ina Smith Burningham. After Paul lost his father at age four, his mother moved the family to Holladay, Utah to live with her widowed mother. When Ina Burningham married Charles Wilson, the family moved to Denver, Colorado, where Paul graduated from East High School. He enlisted in the United States Navy during the Korean War and was stationed in Washington, DC, where he met his sweetheart and eternal companion, Peggy Ann Bell. Paul and Peggy were married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple November 2, 1955 and are the parents of three children. In acquiring his education, Paul attended Brigham Young University, the University of Utah, and Washington University of Saint Louis School of Dentistry. The family eventually settled in Turlock, California and Paul practiced there for 20 years. After retiring from dentistry, Paul and Peggy moved to Springville, Utah and then came to Meridian, Idaho five years ago to perfect the art of spoiling their grandchildren. Paul was a lifelong active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in countless callings. In Turlock Paul served in bishoprics for 13 years, and served as the bishop of the Turlock Ward for seven years. He also served as a counselor in the Fresno, California Mission presidency for four years. In Springville he served on the stake high council. After coming to the Boise area, he and Peggy filled a CES mission at the Boise State Institute of Religion and at the time of his passing they were serving as temple workers in the Boise Temple. Paul also served as the High Priests secretary in the Vienna Woods Ward. Paul was known by friends and family alike as a kind, gentle bear of a man. He was an excellent athlete, excelling in swimming, softball, tennis, basketball and he especially loved to golf. Blessed with a beautiful and strong voice, he loved to sing and was a bass soloist with the Utah Valley Chorale and sang with the Utah Civic Opera. Paul was also a talented artist who loved to draw and paint. Our Papa found his greatest joy and happiness in spending time with Peggy, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Paul is survived by his wife, Peggy of Meridian, Idaho; brothers, Leland (Emily) Burningham of Kaysville, Utah and Norman (Barbara) Burningham of Meridian, Idaho; sister, Kathy Wilson of Ogden, Utah; children, Greg (Lorie) Burningham of North Attleboro, Massachusetts, Mark (LaShel) Burningham of Eagle, Idaho, and Jill (Richard) Taylor of Modesto, California; grandchildren, Jill (Nathan) Tracy of Sandy, Utah, Heidi (Tom) Cottam of Orem, Utah, Tiffany (Miles) Tidd and Cami Burningham, both of North Attleboro, Massachusetts, Ryan, Matt, Kevin and Mairen Burningham, all of Eagle, Idaho, Dan, Elena and Wade Taylor, all of Modesto, California; and three great-grandchildren, Gregory, Ariana, and Ryker, with another due to arrive in May. Paul was also close to his brothers and sisters-in-law, Elaine (Blaine) Atkinson of Ogden, Utah, Ida May Bell of Long Beach, California, Catherine (Glen) Foster of Kaysville, Utah, and Ken (Donna) Bell of Lehi, Utah. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the LDS Perpetual Education Fund or your Ward Mission Fund. The family would like to express our gratitude to all of the health care professionals who cared for Papa over many years of illness. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, January 17, 2005 at the Locust Grove Road LDS Chapel, 5555 N. Locust Grove Road, Meridian, Idaho. Friends may call to visit with the family Monday, at the church, from 10-10:45 a.m. before the services. A graveside service will be held 12 noon Tuesday, January 18th at the West Weber Cemetery, West Weber, Utah. Services are under direction of the Relyea Funeral Chapel.
