Paul "Opa" Fritz, 84, of Mossyrock, Wash., passed away June 4, 2018, at his home. He was born Feb. 23, 1934, in Spisic Bukovica, Croatia, to John and Teresa (Bayer) Fritz.
Paul attended grade school for four years before World War II caused the family to relocate to Sankt Veit, Austria near the Bogenhofen Adventist Seminary, where he later nearly completed a theology degree. Again, due to the war, his family relocated to Ranshofen, Austria. Through the Displaced Persons Act of 1947, the family applied to relocate to the United States and via the Displaced Persons Act of 1951, the entire extended family of 12 immigrated to Grand Ledge, Mich., through Ellis Island, N.Y.
In 1952, Paul moved to Fortuna, Calif. Working three jobs, he earned enough money to bring the rest of his family to California, where many still reside today. In 1969, Paul and Renee moved to Seattle where they started PRH Construction. He lived and was the epitome of the American dream, a hard worker, strong and fast, with incredible endurance. Paul loved God and family and he loved the United States of America and the Pacific Northwest.
He is survived by his wife, Renne (Hann) Fritz; sons, Terry Fritz and wife, Dr. Shelly (Jones) Fritz of Mossyrock, Wash., and Dr. Harvey Fritz and wife, Renee (Pflugrad) of Eugene, Ore.; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brothers, Gottfried Fritz and wife, Cheryl of Napavine, Wash., and Dr. Helmuth Fritz and wife, Sue of Beaumont, Calif., formerly of Chehalis, Wash.
A private service will be held.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office Association. Make checks payable to “LCSOA” and mail c/o Sheriff’s Office, 345 W. Main St., Chehalis, WA 98532.
