Paul James Tremont was born in Cottage Hospital on July 11, 1948. He died on June 10, 2026 from untreatable brain tumors, and was instantly in the presence of his Lord Jesus.

He was born to Virginia and Douglas Tremont, who arrived in Santa Barbara after World War II, and Paul arrived three years later.

Paul grew up in a big Victorian house on upper State Street. He attended Hope Elementary School, attended church with his parents, and joined the Boy Scouts with his buddies.

At that time this area still had dairies, orchards and fields where adventurous boys could play.

Paul attended and graduated from La Colina Junior High and San Marcos High. At some point during this period, he was introduced to alcohol and cigarettes. Over time, these habits became addictions. But he also grew many friendships that have endured more than 60 years.

After high school, Paul continued his adventures. Following a six-month stay in Mississippi unloading banana boats, Paul decided to try life on the beach in Hawaii. He and a friend settled on the Big Island, where they worked as construction laborers by day and camped on the beach at night.

There were others on the beach in the evenings, and they invited Paul and his buddy to join them. Paul said he liked them because they accepted him in spite of his habits.

One evening the leader of these “Jesus People” described a loving God who wants to care for and forgive people for ignoring him and trying to control their lives. That night Paul admitted he needed help and invited the Lord Jesus to be his savior.

His life changed. He became clean and sober, and a contractor put him on his painting crew. He also met Kate, and they were married on Christmas Day, 1973. They continued to live in Hawaii where Paul became established in the painting trade.

In early 1975 Paul and Kate moved to Santa Barbara to help his mom following the death of his father. Paul found plenty of opportunities to use his painting skills.

While Paul’s efforts helped his mom through a difficult time, the pull of his old habits became irresistible. His relationship with the Lord Jesus and Kate deteriorated, and eventually he and Kate divorced.

By this time Paul had a condo on Modoc Road until it burned down in the Painted Cave Fire. After the condo was rebuilt, Paul’s mom could no longer stay alone, so she lived with him until she died in 2002.

Paul said his mom was oblivious to his drug abuse. But others were not. His habits made it difficult to work when he didn’t have a driver’s license and impossible when he was in jail. But he had bosses and coworkers who wanted a better life for him and helped him on many occasions.

About this time Paul met and married Caroline because of their common dependencies. The bright spot in this period were her children.

Paul, even though limited by his own addictions, enjoyed being with them during their childhood and adolescence. These tender relationships endured and were so special to him in his last few weeks of life on earth.

Not surprisingly, the relationship with Caroline did not endure. Unfortunately, the end of that marriage did not resolve Paul’s addiction-related troubles, and he ended up in jail again. It was there he heard God telling him, “If you don’t surrender your life to me now, you’re gonna be dead soon.”

So, when Paul was released, he called Marcy, another special friend from San Marcos High, and asked her to take him to her church because he knew he needed the support of a community of Christians around him.

Marcy brought Paul to Community Covenant Church, where he has been a faithful member for almost 18 years.

Paul resumed his painting business with new freedom and vigor. His kindness and generosity were evident to everyone he met, and he left his marks in paint all around the church campus as reminders of God’s redeeming power.

A celebration of Paul’s life will be held at an outdoor service, 2 p.m. Saturday, July 18 at Community Covenant Church, 5070 Cathedral Oaks Road, Santa Barbara. Hawaiian shirts are encouraged.