Paul Dirks, a commercial fisherman and life-long resident of the Aleutian Islands, died unexpectedly on June 13, 2015, at the age of 34. Paul was born in Anchorage, Alaska on July 27, 1980.  He attended school in Atka and Unalaska, and earned his G.E.D. Fishing was in Paul’s blood and he made his living in the manner of his ancestors, on the Bering Sea. He fished halibut, cod, salmon, and crab, and his first job was on the F/V Arctic Dawn with the Helgevold family. He also was a crewmember on the F/V Erla-N when it was a Deadliest Catch© vessel.  Paul was a crewmember of the F/V Pacific Sounder at the time of his death.

Paul was a devoted son, brother, uncle, and friend. Shy and introverted, he would often reach out on Facebook and by text message, telling his loved ones how much he cared for them and that he was thinking of them. He loved children and animals, and they loved him in return.  He spent many fun times playing X-Box games with his favorites, Jesse Tutiakoff, Scotty Syverson, and Colton & Katie Dirks, with his mom’s resident cat on his lap.  Paul was a fan of the Indianapolis Colts, and admired Michael Jordon, Joe Montana, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Troy Polamalu. He enjoyed a good action or comedy movie, as well as rap and classic rock music, and valued knowledge of our world’s history and a good documentary. He had a quiet sense of humor, an unknown depth of thought, and was generous with his love. He gave of himself to those who were less fortunate than he, blessed with an abundance of familial love. He will be deeply missed by his friends, family, and all who knew him.

Paul is survived by his parents; Katherine M. (Yatchmenoff) and Larry W. Dirks, Jr., of Unalaska; his brother, Kevin Dirks, of Unalaska; his sister Rachel Dirks Jolliffe and her husband, Mike; nephews Kyle Nevzoroff and Colton Dirks, of Unalaska; niece Katie Dirks, of Unalaska; and many Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins throughout the Chain and Alaska. He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents, Irene & William Yatchmenoff, and Lydia & Larry Dirks, Sr., and infant sister Periscovia.

A funeral service is scheduled for 10:00 AM on Saturday, June 20, 2015 at the Church of the Holy Ascension on Broadway Avenue in Downtown Unalaska. Paul’s cousin, Father Evon Bereskin, will officiate the church service as well as the graveside service immediately afterwards at the Unalaska Cemetery on Summer Bay Road.  A potluck and celebration of life  will be held for Paul at the Father Ishmael Gromoff Senior Center on Eleanor Drive immediately following the graveside service.  The Family asks that you please bring a dish and your memories of our beloved son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend, Paul Dirks, to share.