May 21, 1946 - August 10, 2024
Paul was born in 1946 in Ojai, CA but grew up in Minnesota, the oldest of six with five younger sisters. He attended Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Paul had an initial career in heavy equipment before starting to work with Don Ness at Racecraft – a drag racing car fabrication shop. Twist & Shout Racing was created and became his passion. He built winning drag racing cars for customers across the country. His artistry and attention to detail was extraordinary and his cars won prestigious Best Engineering awards. A true renaissance man, he had eclectic taste in his beloved music, was continually learning new things, and never did anything in a small way.
Paul was an NHRA racer. His initial national win in Brainerd funded the purchase of our home. Racing in Super Gas, Competition Eliminator, Pro Stock and Top Sportsman, he frequently ranked in the Top Ten nationally, and won the coveted Division 5 Top Sportsman Champion in 2016. Paul and Pat were a formidable team at the track!
Paul was a big handsome guy with a lust for life. He looked years younger than he was and seemed unbreakable. He never complained when he got his glioblastoma cancer diagnosis - he just soldiered on. Treatments were met with a work ethic and acceptance. He died exactly one year to the date he was diagnosed.
Paul will be remembered for many things by different people. A delightful sense of humor, dedication and hard work, artistry in race car building and being there for his friends. But most of all he was the most loving husband imaginable. Knowing that his days were numbered, he dedicated this summer to home and yard projects to give Pat a beautiful environment.
We would be remiss not to mention his love of Irish Setters. He delighted in Scarlet, Kelly, Jade, Ruby and Aidan, the last four from Courtwood Kennels run by a dear friend. Irish Setters are “rollicking, energetic and affectionate, known for their elegance, swiftness and grace.” Sounds just like Paul.
There are no words to describe the emptiness he leaves here on earth. Pat and Paul met 47 years ago this August, and she cherishes every minute they spent together. Their love was deep and true.
Paul demonstrated grace and love every day. His goodnight wish was always “see you in the morning.” He will be missed by those who knew him. Until we meet again, rest in peace my dear man.
At Paul’s request, services are private. Please leave notes and remembrances below as Pat would love to read and keep them.
Memorials preferred to: Can Do Canines, Plymouth MN or Nativity of Mary Catholic Church, Bloomington MN.
Wonderful man will truly be missed.
So very very sorry for your loss Pat. I didn’t know him that well but when I did see him he was always upbeat and he always made me laugh! So easy going and got along with everyone!, much love Pat❤️
Pat, that was beautiful! What a man. Godspeed my friend.
Thank you for all the help, advice and friendship Paul! RIP my friend. God bless you Pat.
Beautiful obituary and everything I remember about Paul and Pat. Such a lovely couple and our hero will be missed. RIP our friend. Mike and Paula Cotten
Possibly the sweetest man I know. Also one of the toughest. R. I. P. My brother.
My heart goes out to Pat and all family and friends. True friends are rare, R.I.P. my friend.
Pat our hearts go out to you. We love you and Paul so much. Jim has joyfully welcomed Paul to heaven. They are sharing new pranks, laughter and are planning the perfect race car together. We can see them in our minds eye with their arms around each other and laughing. I hope knowing that these two great friends are together brings you comfort and peace.
My deepest condolences
My heart goes out to Pat, you and all the friends and family who lost a great Man
You will be missed my brother from another mother
great guy and awesome racer,you will be missed by so many
My dearest and deepest condolences to you Aunt Pat. Uncle Paul will be missed! He truly left a big footprint in this world!
Paul’s spirit will never leave us, and we can honor him by giving all our endeavors and loved ones our most honest efforts everyday.
My partner and I were lucky to have had some time with Paul and Pat this past year. Paul’s love for Pat was true. He cherished her deeply and spoke of her with such warmth and admiration. Their love was a beautiful bond. We will miss you, Paul. We are here for you Pat.
Love, Jill and Deb
I always enjoyed seeing Paul’s latest build in the garage when we visited Len and Betty. I would ask Paul a question and he would give me the technical details. His passion was obvious, for his cars and for his life. His and your friendship with Len and Betty was so important to them and to our family. Paul, Len and Betty are probably playing 500 right now.
met him in Indy while he was in the PS ranks I was looking at his MASTERPIECE race car and he said come on over and look at it touch it its real. we spoke for a few moments and I told him how he had the best looking car in the whole US nationals he said thank you means a lot to have people enjoy his work as much as he did one of the nicest racers I ever have had the chance to speak with RIP Pittman
Paul was one in a billion. It was a honor to have known him. We shared some pretty good laughs and there was definitely no shortage of shenanigans.
Paul was my all time favorite racer , and one of my greatest encouragement to never give up. As a fellow NHRA black racer , Paul paved the way for a lot of black racers and set the bar for competition, His presence, encouragement and smiling face will always be with me , Paul was my Hero, not only as a racer , but as a husband and a proud Black man who lived by the golden rule,,, RIP Paul
Paul was like another brother from another mother to me and we always a a great time at the races weather it was helping each other out or just giving each other a hard time. Paul was hard headed but me and pat finally got him to listen to her on the radio lol I never forget the guy him and pat was always fun to be around and some of the greatest people to be around. God bless you and RIP buddy and my prayers are sent to Pat and family for there loss.
Pat & Paul are the best neighbors and friends you could hope for. Whenever Paul fired up his smoker, there were plates of amazing food to sample. When a huge snowstorm came through, he’d be out there with his snowblower before anybody else helping multiple neighbors clear their path. Need to borrow a tool, help fixing something, the list goes on and on, Paul was always there to lend a hand, a tool, and his knowledge and strength. We will miss him dearly. Sending many prayers for Pat and the family. Rest In peace Paul and God bless.
Love, Corey, Martina, Mal & Abby
Although my encounter with Paul was brief he clearly was a great guy and the hospitality that him and pat gave to me showed what a wonderful couple they were so very sorry for your loss! He truly will be missed
Paul is remembered for his quick wit, infectious smile, sharp sense of humor and his amazing positivity. His loyalty to friends and family was always to be admired. I always appreciated how much he loved Pat and was never afraid to express it! Our prayers for Pat and Aidan and the family. He is missed! Thank you for the lovely obituary—it captured so much of his essence.
I knew Paul many years ago because he went to St. Francis high school back in the 60s. He was treated very cruelly there because of his skin color. I got his phone number from a friend, and I gave him a call. I hadn’t talked to him or seen him for 60 plus years. I told him i was sorry for the way he was treated and he said that he had no bad feeling for what had happened back then (What a forgiving person he was) Had I had known where he had lived, I would have looked him up. A good man no doubt in Heaven
Paul was a neighbor of ours. I remember some fun times with Paul and my brothers, sledding on our “Big Hill”.
I was in class with Paul from 1955 to 1957. It was the 6th grade teacher who treated him poorly. We all hoped he would come to a reunion .. ” Where is Paul?” … we wanted to see him again… Someone said he was building race cars… I knew him to be a very kind person in school, and I can see from his biography that he was a very busy and accomplished adult. Pat… I am so sorry that we never met you, and that you have lost Paul… He was a really good Kid… and we knew he would be a really good man… Yes… No doubt he is in Heaven.
My deepest sympathies to you and your families. Paul and you were such fun clients, more like friends. He would show me his classic stereo equipment and have a smile on that lite up a room. And his love of watches, fun to talk about. I said ” cant have a great time, if you dont have a great watch”, Paul laughed and said I’m stealing that. A truly great man, R.I.P Paul
Pat, I met you and Paul in Dallas in the 2000s I don’t remember what year..I sent a email to Paul after his wreck in Denver..I saw you guys again in at the Lucas Oil Double header 2017 race in Topeka when I was a crew guy on another Top Sportsman team..Paul was a racers racer and a man of distinction..He always had one of the most beautiful cars and was willing to tell you about it.. When you saw you had to run the Twist & Shout car you knew better had your stuff together. He was was one of the guys I looked up to because he was a black man making his mark in Pro Stock, Top Sportman and drag racing in general..I hope God heals your heart because I know you lost the love of your life.
It’s been quite a while since I last saw Paul, but I was very fond of him. He & Pat were always so kind and welcoming when we would visit as a kid. He has been an incredible friend to my dad, Roger, for longer than I’ve been around.
He meant a great deal to my dad and we will miss him so much. Pat, all of my love and prayers to you.
This is Pat and I want to thank everyone for their moving words about Paul. He was one of a kind and he tried to treat people the way he wanted to be treated. Life will gradually get better – that is what they say will happen. I’ll forever cherish every day spent with this great guy. Love to you all. Pat
We love you, Pat.
Always a friend. A great patient who also knew and loved the old music. Racing and music will always be a common thread. Take care Pat, he will be missed. Doc.
Pat – I am so sorry to hear of Paul’s passing; he has shared with me just how much you meant to him. You two were quite a team, and he was so proud of that. He’ll be dearly missed, I’ll never forget his smile.
Will miss joking around with him all the time! Never failed to make me laugh. I have such sweet memories of messing around together at the dog shows and him trying to trick Kenzie and I. What an amazing guy who will truly be missed. Thinking of you, Pat
Pat, we are so sorry to hear of Paul’s passing. We just heard about his passing today (9-4-2024). Please know that our hearts are breaking and send our love and prayers to you. If there is anything we can do to help at any time, please let us know. Bobi and Doug Legner
Oh Pat, I’m so sorry for your loss. You, Sandy, Paul and I surely made some memories. He was surely a guy that I looked up to and admired. God bless you in your grief, I know how it feels. Feel free to contact me if you wish.
Rip Paul. I was grateful that I met you, you gave me life, didn’t meet you until I was 39, doesn’t make it easier, I’ll see you on the other side man.