June 14, 1950 - October 27, 2021
Tami Paul, age 71, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, October 27th, 2021. Tami was a beautiful Christian woman with steadfast faith. Although she had bravely battled cancer victoriously before, Tami passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her husband and children after being diagnosed on October 1st with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
Tami was born Tamera Lynn on June 14, 1950 in Bakersfield, CA, the youngest child and only daughter of Bill and Jeane Thompson. She attended Foothill High School and was a cheerleader throughout all 4 years. She was active in her church where she helped lead youth groups and served as girl’s camp counselor at Hume Lake. One of the girls in her charge at Hume Lake was a young Susan Paul, who would later become her sister by marriage and continue on to an inseparable bond of sisterhood and friendship Tami would forever cherish.
After High School, Tami attended Bakersfield College where she met the love of her life, Greg Paul, who was immediately captivated by her beautiful brown eyes and stunning smile while passing her in the hallway between classes. He asked her on a date shortly after and the two were married in September of 1970.
Tami and Greg made their home in Stockton, CA, where together they built their business, Greg Paul Produce Sales, Inc. and raised their two children, Tiffany and James. They were members at Quail Lakes Baptist Church and First Baptist Church of Stockton. Tami was a constant fixture at her children’s many sports and activities, taxiing her children and their friends and teammates from one destination to the next, always happy to help out when and wherever needed. Likewise, she rarely missed any of her husband Greg’s races, be it boats, bikes or cars. No matter how nervous she sometimes may have been, she was always there cheering him on.
Tami was athletic and enjoyed many sports, racquetball, golf, water skiing, sailing catamarans, snow skiing, and playing in the Church softball league. She spent Thursday mornings at Pacific Avenue Bowl with her teammates of 30+ years as part of the Thursday Morning Slowpokes bowling league. The high stakes league play that took place weekly consisted of enjoying the food supplied by the assigned team of the week, talking, laughing and catching up with friends, participating in the annual ornament exchange and some bowling as well. Her team “Once in a While” held the title of league champion more than a few times in those 30+ years.
Tami was most known for her infectious smile and loving spirit. She loved laughter and having fun. No matter what was going on in her life, she lit up the room when she entered, always happy and friendly to everyone. She was thoughtful and kind, always thinking of others before herself. She treasured her friends and loved ones and had several close friendships that were like family to her. She would keep in touch with them no matter when or where in the world they were, letting them know she was thinking of them and how special they were to her.
Other than deepening her relationship with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Tami was most content just spending time with her family. Some of the best family memories were made while vacationing at destinations with either snow or surf, frequent trips to Disneyland and a few girl’s trips to celebrate special occasions. She loved watching and being part of her children’s everyday lives and their many milestones (at one time the most anticipated being their driver’s licenses) and of course, the anticipation and arrival of her four precious grandchildren, watching them grow and have milestones of their own. However, above all else, Tami loved spending time with her husband Greg, it didn’t matter where it was or what they were doing, if she was with him, she was content and happy.
Tami is survived by her beloved husband of 51 years, Greg Paul of Stockton, her daughter and son-in-law Tiffany and John Lupul of Bakersfield, her son and daughter-in-law James and Norene Paul of Stockton and her four grandchildren; Donovan Lupul, Michael Paul, Lauren Paul and Simone Lupul. Additionally, she is survived by her brother and sister-in-law James “Jimmy” and Joy Thompson of Lake Isabella, her sister-in-law Molly Moore of Huntington Beach, her brother-in-law and sister-in-law Rick and Annie Paul of Bakersfield, sister-in-law Jane Paul of Bakersfield, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Susan and Andrew Oliveira of Stockton and her numerous nieces and nephews and their families; Amanda Jordan, Wendy Thompson Goetz, Sam Precie, Jeremiah Thompson, Joshua Thompson, Robert Paul, Valerie Lallo, Jennifer Toy and Brian Oliveira.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Jeane Thompson of Bakersfield, and her eldest brother and sister-in-law John and Donna Thompson of Delano.
Tami’s family would like to thank everyone for their love and support. We feel so blessed to be surrounded by so many caring family and friends. Your prayers and thoughtfulness have given us the strength to endure. Additionally, we’d like to thank Dr. Prasad Dighe and Dr. Ashok Daftary for their many decades of expertise, care and dedication to Tami’s health and wellbeing, as well as Hospice of San Joaquin for their specialized care in Tami’s last days.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, November 9th, 2021 at 11:00 am at Lincoln Presbyterian Church, 900 Douglas Road, Stockton, CA. The service will also be live streamed on the Church’s YouTube channel.
A family graveside service will take place on Wednesday, November 10th, 2021 at 11:00 am in the Heritage Garden at Cherokee Memorial Park, 14165 N. Beckman Road, Lodi, CA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of San Joaquin, 3888 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, CA 95204.
Online condolences may be expressed through www.cherokeememorial.com
