Paul Douglas Toponce

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of our beloved brother and friend, Paul Douglas Toponce on December 14, 2024.

Paul was born on November 20,1972, in Monticello, Utah to Clair and Edna Toponce. He enjoyed a childhood surrounded by five older siblings. Paul loved his parents, and his siblings and cherished close relationships with them all.

Paul had an infectious laugh and a heart of gold, and was always ready to lend a hand or share a story and would greet everyone he loved with a smile and hug.

As a child, Paul was tender and sensitive to things in nature. He was especially fond of bees, and would play with them among the lilac bushes without being stung. He would cry if he saw someone kill a bee.

In 1979, his family moved to Lander, Wyoming, where he began kindergarten at Southside Elementary School. Like many of us Paul's age, he was moved to Westside Elementary after its completion.

As a member of the Boy Scouts of America he earned many badges, nearly earning the rank of Eagle Scout. Paul also played in the community soccer league from age six for many years. Which came in handy when he travelled with family to Honduras at the age of twelve and taught the sport to Honduran children.

Paul then attended Starrett Junior High for the 7th and 8th grade. Where, at his parents encouragement, he joined the Track & Field team, competing in running events, as well as hurdles, and long jump. His team went to State where he placed third in the mile. Paul was also on the wrestling team, where he also placed third at State.

Paul then attended Lander Valley High School, where he excelled in drawing class and created amazing pencil mazes. Paul graduated in 1992, and during the graduation ceremony, as he walked to the stage to accept his diploma, the auditorium erupted with the hoots, hollers, and claps of his classmates in celebration of Paul's accomplishment.

Outside of school Paul enjoyed working with his father at his family's grocery store, Super Foods. As well as sharing many adventures with his life long best friend and brother Andy, his close friend Bill, and of course, his older brother Edward.

At the age of 23, Paul moved to Aurora, Colorado with Andy. A few years later, Paul moved to Laramie, Wyoming, and was soon joined by Andy where together they worked at a furniture building business specializing in rustic furniture.

In 2010, Paul returned to Lander to be closer to family and friends and remained until the end of his life. During this time he took on the responsibility of helping his parents manage their business, Hearth and Home Furnishings, as well as their properties.

Paul enjoyed it when his family came to town for the 4th of July. They would take family hikes to the falls, light fireworks off, and spend time together.

In 2012 Paul began attending Central Wyoming College where he earned his Associates Degree in Facility Management graduating in 2014.

After the passing of Paul's mother Edna, the heart of their family, in 2015, Paul spent a lot of time with his father, Clair. They would go to lunch together at the casino in Riverton on senior day. They would also get their free meal for each of their birthday months from the casino while not gambling a dime.

Paul was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and enjoyed various callings and serving in the church. Becoming a new father later in life, Paul enjoyed taking his son, Alexander, to church with him. Paul's dedication as a father to his young son was unwavering. He would often take his son swimming in Thermopolis or to the Riverton swimming pool (because he liked that pool better than Lander's). He also thoroughly enjoyed taking his son to Utah to see his father Clair, with whom he still cherished any time spent.

Paul's greatest joy was being a father to his son, Alexander. He read every parenting book he could get his hands on and spent as much free time as he could with his son.

Paul also enjoyed time spent with his "adopted" nieces, the children of his dear friend Andy and his wife Tiffanie, who knew him since their births as "Uncle Paul". Paul's dedication to his nieces was also unwavering.

Always a kid at heart, Paul enjoyed life to its fullest and one of his favorite pastimes was taking pictures of every single person that mattered to him, it didn't matter if it was 10 pictures of the same person, there were hundreds of pictures. Paul had developed a real passion for photography.

Paul was greeted in Heaven by his mother, Edna Toponce, and his brother, Edward Toponce. No doubt they were surprised to see him, but also very happy because he was especially close to both of them.

Paul is survived by his son Alexander Toponce, father Clair Toponce, sisters Marinda Toponce,

Laura Rosqvist(Sean), Nedra Toponce, Tamara (Shane) Powell,nieces April, Lyndsey, Whitney, Savannah, Emma, Olivia, nephews Sterling, Peter, and Kyle, and life long friend and brother, Fermin (Andy) Quesada and his family.

His Funeral Service will be held 10 a.m., January 11, 2025, in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 653 Cascade Street, Lander, Wyoming 82520.

Please sign the online guestbook at: hudsonsfh.com