Paul L. Major, a resident of Point Dume for 50 years, died Jan. 2. He was 85.
Major was born on April 9, 1925 in Los Angeles. He attended Fremont High School where he met his future wife Barbara. In 1943, Major left school to enlist in the U.S. Navy where he served for three years as a boatswain’s mate on the U.S.S. Mobjack, the U.S.S. Belle Isle and the U.S.S. Zan 144 in the Asiatic Pacific. In 1946 he married Barbara and became a Los Angeles County firefighter the next year.
Major transferred to Malibu Station 71 on Point Dume in 1960. He and his wife designed the home where they lived with their family. Major served as a firefighter in Malibu until 1977 when he retired.
Major enjoyed tending to his gardens and fruit trees. He also spent his time wine making, cooking, woodworking, building model trains and walking the local beaches.
Major is survived by his wife Barbara, daughter Deanne Palmer and son-in-law Rick Palmer of Queens Creek, Ariz., his son Paul Major Jr. and daughter-in-law Valerie Major of Point Dume, and his grandchildren Justin Palmer, of Phoenix, Kurtis Major and Scott Major. A memorial flag service will take place on Jan. 29 at Fire Station 71 on Pacific Coast Highway at Zumirez Drive at 11 a.m. A private ceremony will follow at the family home on Point Dume.