Matthew M. Paul, 94, died Friday, May 8, 2015 at the University of Washington Hospital following a brief illness and surgery. He leaves his wife of 69 years, Wilma Paul; his sons, Bill (Bertha) Paul, Martin (Genevieve) Paul and John (Kim) Paul; 13 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren and many close friends. Matthew was preceded in death by his son, Clarence and a daughter-in-law, Robin Paul. Born and raised in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, the son of Willem Gerard Paul and Plonia Kwakernaak, he was a current resident of Mount Vernon. In his early years, Matthew grew up during the great depression and survived World War II by escaping from a concentration camp and going underground. He married Wilma Groeneweg in Amsterdam October 2, 1946. In 1951 Matthew, Wilma and their first 2 sons emigrated to the United States to milk cows in California. In 1956 his family received U.S. citizenship in Santa Ana, California. 1961 brought the family, which had now grown to four sons, to Mt. Vernon. The whole family worked hard on their dairy on Riverbend Road through 1977. They were honored to have been named Dairy Family of the Year in 1964. Staying in a dairy-related business, Matthew became involved in buying, selling, and trucking hay with his sons Bill and Clarence. Buying hay became a passion of his that he continued through his lifetime. He never had a desire to "retire" but did enjoy bowling, golfing and travelling. Going to Bolivia to distribute wheelchairs to the poor and lame was a special experience for him. Matthew served on many boards and committees related to the dairy industry, the Mt. Vernon Christian School, was a longtime member of the Rotary Club and in 1978, he ran as a republican for the state legislature. Matthew had a passion for his community and family. He believed in hard work. He will be greatly missed. Services on Wednesday, May 13 include public viewing from 10:00 to 12:00 and graveside service for family and close friends at 1 pm at Hawthorne Funeral Home/ Cemetery. A celebraton of Matthew's life will follow at 2 pm at the Christian Reformed Church in Mount Vernon. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mount Vernon Christian School.