Paul Nickolas Richter, 78, of Sweet Home passed away Tuesday. He was born at home in Mt. Angel to Nickolas and Emily (Cline) Richter.

At 13, Paul left home and roamed the Pacific Northwest working odd jobs.

He married Doris Marcks before being drafted into the US Army. He served two years in Hawaii. They lived in California a short time before settling in Sweet Home. They were married 35 years before Doris passed away in 1992.

Paul was a member of the Laborers Union and retired in 1996. During his retirement, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and working on his 1966 Ford Fairlane.

Paul is survived by: his children, Debbie Sloan of Sisters; Ed and Deborah Richter of Bradley, South Carolina; Marty and Lawna Richter of Springfield, Oregon; Jeanie Poland of Sweet Home; Valerie and Tim Groff of Sweet Home and Ricky Richter of Sweet Home; siblings, MaryAnn Amundson of Pendleton; LeeRoy and Judy Richter of LaGrande; and Judy and Harry Warner of Pilot Rock; twenty-one grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Richter, in 1992; siblings, Jack, Aggie, Sonny, and Larry; and grandson, Brian Richter, in 2008.

A gravesite service will begin at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 29, at Gilliland Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Sweet Home Funeral Chapel.