• Harold Paton

                Harold Paton was born December 15, 1902, the fifth child of Grant and Alice, he was delivered by his father at their farm home on Pioneer Ave. Harold grew up in Cashmere and loved playing football. He scored the first touchdown in CHS football history against Leavenworth. He graduated in 1923 from Cashmere High School.

                Harold Paton attended the University of Washington. As a Husky football player, he played in the 1926 Rose Bowl against Alabama. Harold was awarded the Pop Flaherty Award as the most inspirational football player for the 1926 team.

                After college, Harold returned to Cashmere and married Buda Reid, another Cashmere native. They lived on Paton Street, named for his Uncle William Paton, one of the first settlers in Cashmere. Harold and Buda had three children who all graduated from Cashmere High School. Harold was a “doer” and was elected to the Cashmere City Council. As a member of the city council and active community member, Harold supported the building of ice rinks and tennis courts. The ice rink project wasn’t a long term success due to the Chinook winds during the winters. He also pushed for the building of the swimming pool and tennis courts.

                Harold’s sportsman activities included planting fish in high lakes and streams and winter bird feeding to aid survival of Hungarian partridges, Chukar and Chinese pheasants. Harold was a very good trap shooter and was a member of Cashmere’s State Championship Trap Shooting team. In 1940, Harold bought an apple orchard and was named “Grower of the Year” in 1956.

                Harold was one of the first commissioners for the Port of Chelan County. During his terms the ALCOA Company became an integral part of the greater Wenatchee and Chelan County economic structure. In his spare time, Harold was a member of the Federal Land Bank helping others in the agriculture industry find success in the fertile Wenatchee Valley and surroundings regions.

                Harold passed away in 1991. Bulldogs both young and old remember the grin which turned into a great and the “WE CAN DO IT ATTITUDE” of Harold Paton.

    With great pleasure we welcome Harold Paton to the Wall of Fame.