Paul David Shields

Paul David Shields, age 68, passed away on June 9, 2024 at his home in Durango, Colorado. Paul was born in Penasco, New Mexico, the son and grandson of foresters. His childhood was spent in Boston, Durango, Denver, Springfield, Virginia and back to Durango as his father was assigned duties with the US Forest Service.
Paul was active in Boy Scouting, baseball, soccer, cross country and track. He graduated from James Robinson Secondary School and received a BS in wildlife and forestry management from Virginia Tech.
Paul started working in junior high school delivering the Washington Post newspaper at 4:30 every morning for years. He carried that work ethic through various jobs as dishwasher, convention set up in Washington DC, tarring roofs, and repairing furniture for the Fairfax County Virginia school district. Paul spent several summers as a forest firefighter in Idaho. After college, Paul contracted to build and repair hiking trails in the SW Colorado area, mainly on the Rio Grande and Pike National Forest Districts. He relished hiking into wilderness areas for ten day periods. Paul also harvested juniper berries and osha root (wild parsnip) to sell to natural medicine companies. Paul worked various construction jobs, shoveled snow from roofs at Purgatory, and at Basin Printing as a pressman. He had worked for a time as an apprentice electrician.
Paul was happiest climbing and hiking with his Jack Russell dog, Gator. Paul had climbed 53 of Colorado's 14ers and was working on the 13ers. He had omitted Pike's Peak from his list as that was too easy. Paul was frequently seen in his neighborhood on his twice daily walks of 5 miles with his dog. Paul loved to test his endurance with solo ultra marathon outings.
Paul treasured his solitary life and built a home in the Oxford area to enjoy the fresh air and mountain views. He was a member of the Pine Valley Church and delighted in worship and fellowship.
Paul is survived by his brother Patrick Shields and sister Diane (Colin) Cassidy, nieces Megan (Caley) Fretz, Caitlin Cassidy (Freddy Hoffman), Alison (Seth) McCoy, 2 grand nieces, and 4 grand nephews.
Paul is predeceased by his parents, Chester and Ruth Shields, grandparents, Milford and Nell Shields, and Paul and Cora Ginter and various cousins.
Cremation has occurred and no memorial service will be held. Paul would have said to take a nice long hike to enjoy nature.