Daily Midway Driller;Taft, Kern County, California; 08 March 2000

Paul Clement Lukens

Join us in remembering the life of Paul Clement Lukens, who passed away on Sunday, March 5, 2000, at age 75. A memorial service honoring Mr. Lukens will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 10 at Erickson and Brown Funeral Home, 501 Lucard St., in Taft.

A native Californian, Paul was born on May 1, 1924, in San Francisco and spent his formative years in Los Angeles, where he was active in DeMolay, Boy Scouts (finishing only one merit badge shy of Eagle Scout), and student government. He graduated from Belmont High School as class president in the summer of 1942. His education at UCLA was interrupted by service in the U.S. Army Infantry in Europe during World War II. After the war, he returned to UCLA and graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in Accounting. Paul worked with the California State Board of Equalization until 1951, when he went into partnership with a college friend to establish McClain & Company Public Accountants in Taft and Delano. He maintained that firm in Taft until his retirement in July 1997.

Paul was always active in local business and civic communities during his nearly 50 years in Taft. He will be remembered for his service as one of the founding fathers and 15-year member of the West Kern Water District; 44 years of service on the Board of Directors of the Westside Children's Camp Association (Camp Condor); life member of the West Kern Oil Museum; past commander of American Legion Post 70; past member Rotary International and award-winning editor of the Rotarian for many years; member of the Taft Exchange Club and Elks (BPOE); and friend of Community Presbyterian Church of Taft. Paul was an Enrolled Agent, licensed to practice before the Internal Revenue Service, and past president of the California Society of Accountants.

Paul's other passions included active membership in the American Philatelic Society, the Scandanavian Collectors' Club, and AOPA (Airplane Owners and Pilots Association). After a lifetime of travel around the world, Paul and Elsie Mae enjoyed post-retirement travel throughout the United States in their motorhome often joining in activities of the Traveling Elks, Coachmen, Family Motor Coach Association and Good Sam Club.

This traveler, adventurer and citizen of the world will be lovingly remembered by his family and many friends.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 44 years, Elsie Mae Olson Lukens; his two daughters: Deborah Sue with her husband William Robert Whittaker of Lake Forest, California; and Victoria Ann with her husband Craig Paul Kubitz of Portland, Oregon; his four grandchildren: Michael Robert Whittaker of Westchester, California; Robyn June Whittaker of Torrance, California; Jessica Leigh Kubitz and Brian Jackson Kubitz of Portland, Oregon.

In lieu of flowers, Paul and his family would be delighted by a memorial gift to Community Presbyterian Church (500 Kern St., Taft, California 93268) or Camp Condor (in care of Robert Colston, 804 Vista Via, Taft, California, 93268).

Friends may pay their respects on Thursday, March 9th from 3 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and on Friday, March 10th from 8:30 a.m. until the memorial service at Erickson and Brown Funeral Home.

Paul C Lukens