Paul Midkiff

Paul MacLeod Midkiff, 104, passed away on September 5, 2014. He was born on July 1, 1910 in Washington D. C. to Emmet and Belle Midkiff, their only child. Growing up just 4 miles from the White House, young Paul went with his father, who was the Budget master of the Navy, to meet President Calvin Coolidge. After attending MIT and Tufts, Paul worked at the Boston Naval Shipyard as a chemist. On October 31, 1932 he married Sarah (Sally) Walker Leitner from Newton Center, MA. They were blessed with 4 children. In 1955, he accepted a position with the Atomic Energy Commission and moved the family to Kennewick, Washington. He had attained the position of Deputy Director when he retired in 1970. Paul and Sally spent the winter months in Mesa, AZ and eventually moved there in 1978. Paul was an avid golfer, gardener, and bowler. Together they enjoyed dancing, traveling, and cruising for many years. After moving to Peoria, AZ in 1997, Sally passed away on her 90th birthday, October 25, 2002, just short of their 70th wedding anniversary. Their eldest child, Sarah Jean Fitch passed away in 2004. Surviving are two daughters, Marian Crafts (Don) of Pateros, WA, Christine Cox, of Peoria, AZ and son, Paul E Midkiff (Jan) of Phoenix, AZ, and son-in-law, Sam Fitch of Peoria, AZ. Also 12 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren. A Celebration of Paul’s life will be held on Sunday, October 5 at 1pm at The Lakes Recreation Center, 19251 N Westbrook Parkway, Peoria, AZ 85382 in Westbrook Village.