Paul Hatch Daines, Jr., M.D., 49, of Logan, Utah, passed away Saturday, Sept. 10, 2005, following a valiant battle against colon cancer. Paul was born July 22, 1956, in Washington, D.C., to Paul Daines Sr., and Allene Kleinman Daines. Paul was the first of nine children and grew up in Montpelier, Idaho. Paul married his sweetheart, Sharon Elizabeth Player July 31, 1981, in the Logan LDS Temple. Together they have two children, Matthew Paul Daines and Leilani Player Daines.

Paul graduated from the University of Utah and the University of Washington Medical School. He served his residency in Honolulu, Hawaii. Paul practiced medicine, first as an internist and then as an Emergency Department physician at Logan Regional Hospital.

Paul served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Deisseldorf, Germany, remaining an active member in good standing. He served as a bishopric counselor, a bishop and as a stake high counselor. His most recent calling was the Logan 5th Ward Family History Center Director. Family history and temple work were dear to his heart.

Paul had a zest for life that was joyous to see. He saw every challenge that came his way as an opportunity for growth and learning, and encouraged the same in others. He could always be counted on for a word of loving advice, whether or not solicited. Paul had a strong desire to serve others, investing his time, resources and talents wherever possible. He was particularly concerned with helping youth find happiness and become productive adults. Therefore, he helped found Options for Youth, an organization for gang prevention. He also established the Sunrise Leadership Academy, a wilderness program to help youth recognize their potential and build their self-confidence. He felt strongly enough about his political beliefs to run for mayor of Logan city.

In the last 5 years, he worked with the Swanson Family Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to uplifting third world countries, particularly Mongolia. Their goals include obtaining and delivering medical supplies and equipment, providing post-graduate education to medical professionals, training police authorities and assisting orphanages. Paul traveled to Mongolia seven times to promote these efforts.

In addition to his family, his passions were horses, gardening, skiing and fishing. He loved Hawaii, and his dream was to retire there. He supported the arts and enjoyed collecting oil paintings. Serving others with kindness was the essence of his heart. He had so many friends, and he loved visiting with them all. Typical visits to the grocery became epic, never-ending conversations with people he ran into at the store. Finally his dear family had to impose a time limit so they could get home before the ice cream melted. His family resorted to fining him when he exceeding the time limit, which has resulted in enough funds to see his children through graduate school.

Paul always wanted to have a lot of children and, as so many nieces and nephews, neighbors and friends can attest, Paul and Sharon welcomed many children into their home and loved them as their own.

Paul is survived by his loving wife and devoted children, his parents and his siblings Laura and Lenny Tatro of Logan; Scott and Kendall Daines of Kensington, Md.; Michael and Janice Daines of Wenatchee, Wash.; Bruce Daines of Ogden, Utah; Shelly and Bruce Wallentine of Lanarck, Idaho; Andrea Hart of Paron, Ark.; Clark Daines of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Stephanie Daines of Las Vegas, Nev.

The love shared by Paul and Sharon will endure eternally. He is her rock, she is his kite. He enjoyed her creative, colorful, free spirit. She thrived in his loving care, stability and wisdom. The gift of the six years following his original diagnosis, were the happiest years of their marriage. They were fortunate enough to have a second honeymoon a week before he died. Those memories can never be taken from them. Paul is the love of Sharon's life.

Paul knew his time was near. He loved the Lord and took solace in his early morning personal scripture study. He left his house in order. He had made a personal checklist, which was discovered after his death. He told his family he was at peace.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 14, at the Logan 5th Ward Chapel, 502 N. 300 East, Logan. A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday at Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 E. Center St., Logan, and on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at the Logan 5th Ward. Interment will be in the Smithfield Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by signing a guestbook at www.allenmortuaries.net.

Paul's family would appreciate donations be given in his name to the Swanson Family Foundation to help continue the work for those who need our love and assistance. The foundation can be contacted at 2520 N. 1500 West, Ogden, Utah 84404, (801)-392-0360