Paul Jonas

58, of Denver, passed away peacefully on October 30, 2015, after a 15 month battle with brain cancer.

Paul was born to Audrey and George Jonas in Carmi, Illinois the third of four children. He attended grammar schools in Enid, Oklahoma; Evansville, Indiana and Littleton, Colorado; graduating with highest honors from Arapahoe High School in 1975. Paul was a Boy Scout and became an Eagle Scout, and was also a member of the AHS Concert Choir and Madrigal Singers and Key Club. He received a bachelor's degree in journalism from Creighton University in 1979, where he covered sports for the student newspaper.

Paul's first job was as a reporter for the Livingston Enterprise in Livingston, Montana, and later for the Miles City Star in Miles City, Montana. Paul returned to Denver and worked for a time in public relations for the Mile High United Way and National Jewish Health. Then Paul discovered his true calling - sustaining the work of charities assisting those impacted by disasters, abuse and illness in Denver and beyond. He became interested in fundraising, in particular planned giving, which he did for National Jewish Health, Tennyson Center for Children and the American Red Cross. Paul was very involved in the Colorado Planned Giving Roundtable, serving as president and recently received the group's Betsy Mangone Lifetime Achievement Award.

He was an active member of Christ Church of Denver and had served as a member of the vestry and the men's group. He was also a committee member of Central Denver Young Life. Paul is survived by his wife Deborah (Lomonaco) and children Sophie and Peter, his mother Audrey and siblings Mary, Lance and Curt.

Paul was an avid sports fan who followed the Denver Broncos, Denver Nuggets and Denver Rockies, as well as the Creighton Bluejays. He had a great love of the Rocky Mountains and some of the best times of his life were spent hiking with his wife, children and extended family.

Paul's memorial service will be held on Tuesday, November 24th, Christ Church, 2950 S. University Blvd., Denver with reception immediately following at the Wellshire Inn, 3333 S. Colorado Boulevard, Denver. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to Christ Church Memorial Fund, 2950 S. University Blvd., Denver, CO 80210; American Red Cross - Mile High Chapter, 444 Sherman, Denver, CO 80203, or Young Life Central Denver, PO Box 40916, Denver, CO 80204-0916.

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things...And the God of peace will be with you." (Phillipians 4:8-9) This is how Paul lived his life.