Dennis Paul Christensen, age 81, passed peacefully in his home on May 4, 2024. Paul was born on April 13, 1943, in Provo, Utah to Lola Vea (Jacobsen) and Dennis Lee Christensen. His father died when Paul was four and his mother remarried Allan Peterson, who was a good father to Paul. Paul grew up in Orem, Utah.

After he graduated from high school in 1961, Paul attended drafting school in Denver. Shortly after, he joined the army, where he attended basic training, followed by orders to head to Washington D.C. and serve at Walter Reed Medical Center as an operating room tech. It was here that he developed a love of medicine and serving others. He attended church the first Sunday he was in Washington D.C., where he happened to see a girl he briefly dated back in Utah, Darlene Holdaway. They were married in 1964 and sealed for eternity in the Manti Temple in 1967. He spent many years in school, pursuing a better life for him and his family.

Paul graduated with his Bachelor of Science degree from BYU in microbiology and a minor in chemistry in 1971. He then completed a few internships, followed by graduate school. He graduated from BYU again in 1981, with a wife and eight children in tow, with a Master of Science in Microbiology. A month later, the family moved to Washington State to begin a new career and chapter in life. He and the family have lived in the Tri-Cities area since.

Paul is preceded in death by his parents Lola Vea (Jacobsen) and Dennis Lee Christensen, and Allan Peterson; he is also preceded in death by his wife, Darlene Christensen and grandson, Dallen Paul Young. Paul was married to his sweetheart for over 48 years before her passing in 2013. He is survived by his nine children and spouses: Donna (Vaughn) Young, Richard (Carey) Christensen, Suzanne (Paul) Boehning, Robert (Angela) Christensen, Bryan (Linda) Christensen, Diane Halo (Ricky Borts), Annette (Gabriel) Sims, Angela (Kilioni) Fuluvaka, and Stephanie (Julian) Howard. He was the loving grandfather of 24 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He is survived by a brother and sister: Richard Christensen and Pat Farmer, both of Utah.

Paul lived a life of hard work, obedience, faithfulness, and service. Paul spent his life serving others, both in private and in various callings he held within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served as Bishop of the Columbia Ward in Richland, WA and again years later in the Kennewick 5th Ward, along with many other callings through the years. He also served on the American Red Cross Board of Directors for many years. He was a Christ-like example and held unwavering faith in his Savior, Jesus Christ. He will be missed greatly. A viewing will be held at Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home, 1401 S. Union, Kennewick, Washington, on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, from 5-7 p.m. The funeral service will be on May 23, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Pasco Stake Center, 2004 N. 24th Ave., Pasco, Washington. There will also be a viewing at 9:30 a.m. prior to the funeral service. Burial will follow at Riverview Heights Cemetery. The family invites you to sign their online tribute wall at www.muellersfuneralhomes.com