Ritzville Journal, Nov. 18, 1954
Paul Booker, Irrigation leader dies at home; funeral conducted.
OTHELLO -Funeral services for Paul E. Booker, 54 year old Othello rancher and irrigation leader, were conducted Saturday at the Christian church in Othello with the Rev. Robert L. Kendall officiating. Burial was in the Lind cemetery. Booker, one of Adams County's most prominent residents, operated a wheat ranch southeast of Othello and has been a leading figure in working for irrigation development for many years.
With his family, Booker had attended a homecoming celebration at the University of Washington the previous weekend where Mrs. Booker's class was celebrating the 25th anniversary of its graduation. Booker went on to Portland to attend a 3-day meeting of the National Reclamation Association the first part of last week.
He died on Thursday morning at his home. Born in Carthage, Missouri, Booker attended grade school near the family ranch in the Lind area and went to high school in Ritzville where he graduated in 1920. He received a Master's degree in education at the University of Washington where he was a member of the Tillicum club. Following graduation he taught in schools at Bremerton and Portland and was a faculty member at the Albion, Idaho Normal School for three years. Booker retired from teaching in 1932 to return to the home ranch his father, the late Thomas R. Booker, had homesteaded.
He was married June 4, 1939, to the former Loraine Stevens of Wenatchee, who had been teaching in the Warden school. A resident of Adams County since 1901, Booker served as Director of the East Columbia Basin Irrigation District and was a past president of the State Association Districts. Last year he was president of the Pacific Water Council. Booker was an elder and trustee of the Christian church and for seven years was Chairman of the Board. He helped finance construction of the Othello church 2 years ago.
Survivors include his widow, Loraine, at the home; a daughter, Paula Gay, 13 and a son Mark Edward, 8; his mother, Mrs. Mollie Booker of Seattle; three sisters, Mrs. R.E. Morris of Monse, Mrs. Thomas Caka of Seattle and Mrs. Arthur Jerbert of New London, Conn.; two brothers, Thomas Booker, Jr. and W.E. Booker both of Othello.
Mrs. Paul Booker is the Journal-Times correspondent for Cunningham and parts of the Hatton region. Danekas and Duncan funeral home was in charge of arrangements.

Ritzville Journal, Nov. 18, 1954
Paul Booker, Irrigation leader dies at home; funeral conducted.
OTHELLO -Funeral services for Paul E. Booker, 54 year old Othello rancher and irrigation leader, were conducted Saturday at the Christian church in Othello with the Rev. Robert L. Kendall officiating. Burial was in the Lind cemetery. Booker, one of Adams County's most prominent residents, operated a wheat ranch southeast of Othello and has been a leading figure in working for irrigation development for many years.
With his family, Booker had attended a homecoming celebration at the University of Washington the previous weekend where Mrs. Booker's class was celebrating the 25th anniversary of its graduation. Booker went on to Portland to attend a 3-day meeting of the National Reclamation Association the first part of last week.
He died on Thursday morning at his home. Born in Carthage, Missouri, Booker attended grade school near the family ranch in the Lind area and went to high school in Ritzville where he graduated in 1920. He received a Master's degree in education at the University of Washington where he was a member of the Tillicum club. Following graduation he taught in schools at Bremerton and Portland and was a faculty member at the Albion, Idaho Normal School for three years. Booker retired from teaching in 1932 to return to the home ranch his father, the late Thomas R. Booker, had homesteaded.
He was married June 4, 1939, to the former Loraine Stevens of Wenatchee, who had been teaching in the Warden school. A resident of Adams County since 1901, Booker served as Director of the East Columbia Basin Irrigation District and was a past president of the State Association Districts. Last year he was president of the Pacific Water Council. Booker was an elder and trustee of the Christian church and for seven years was Chairman of the Board. He helped finance construction of the Othello church 2 years ago.
Survivors include his widow, Loraine, at the home; a daughter, Paula Gay, 13 and a son Mark Edward, 8; his mother, Mrs. Mollie Booker of Seattle; three sisters, Mrs. R.E. Morris of Monse, Mrs. Thomas Caka of Seattle and Mrs. Arthur Jerbert of New London, Conn.; two brothers, Thomas Booker, Jr. and W.E. Booker both of Othello.
Mrs. Paul Booker is the Journal-Times correspondent for Cunningham and parts of the Hatton region. Danekas and Duncan funeral home was in charge of arrangements.