Paul Pulley

Paul Pulley, cherished husband and father, passed away peacefully on August 2nd, 2025, surrounded by his family.

Paul was born and grew up in the city of Ojai, California. He graduated from Nordhoff High School and soon after enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He excelled in boot camp, even qualifying for the expert rifle badge; the highest marksmanship badge one can earn. Upon completion of boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Paul earned the title of United States Marine. He then underwent training for his military occupational specialty in motor transport.

During his service, he travelled around the world living a life of adventure. He travelled to many countries including Japan, Thailand, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, and the Philippines. The two ships that carried him on these great adventures were the USS Mobile and the USS Belleau Wood. While on ship, he underwent the ancient naval line-crossing ceremony on two occasions. This ceremony commemorates the crossing of the equator on ship. After completing the ceremony he became a trusty shellback, a highly respected naval distinction. He even earned the rarer distinction of golden shellback after his second line crossing ceremony for crossing the equator at the International Date Line. By the end of his military service, Paul had gone on countless journeys and achieved numerous accomplishments.

After he completed his service in the Marine Corps, Paul worked on offshore oil rigs in California. This is where he began to learn about operating cranes, which later became his profession. During this time, he met the love of his life Angela. She had been visiting from Arizona where Paul quickly moved to be closer to her. They married in 1993 at St. Timothy Roman Catholic Church. Together they raised three sons. He was an amazing husband and father. One of his favorite things to do was take his family on fun vacations to California to enjoy the beach and amusement parks. Paul was always there for his family, and led them by example.

He was a devout Catholic and always made sure that his family stayed close to God. Everywhere Paul went, he shared his faith with others and was a true witness to Christ. Prayer was one of his greatest joys, and he would pray for others daily. Constantly striving to be closer to God, Paul’s devotion to the Lord was inspiring to all who knew him.

Paul is survived by his wife Angela, and his three sons, Bradley, Brian, and Brandon. He will be remembered as a man of great faith and firm values.

Services for Paul will be held as follows:

Visitation: Monday, August 18th, 2025 from 4:00-7:00 PM (Rosary @ 6:00), Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home (9925 W. Thomas Rd., Avondale, AZ 85392)

Funeral Mass: Tuesday, August 19th, 2025 at 10:00 AM, St. Anne Roman Catholic Parish (440 E Elliot Rd., Gilbert, AZ 85234)

Burial: (Immediately following Mass) Tuesday, August 19th, 2025 at 11:30 AM, St. Francis Catholic Cemetery (2033 N. 48th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008)