Paul Thomas Kasl

Paul Thomas Kasl from Meridian, Idaho passed away on August 16, 2026, at 81 years of age after living many years with mixed dementia's. He was born to Victor L Kasl and Johanna B. Kasl (Rymes) of Swanton, NE on April 27,1945.

Paul grew up in Swanton, NE, a town of 90 people. He attended Swanton Public School from 1st through 8th grade. His mother began teaching high school English in Crete, NE and Paul attended high school there, graduating in 1963. Following high school, he attended Nebraska Vocational Technical School, where he studied Auto Mechanics. He purchased his first business (a gas station) at age 19.

On June 5, 1965, Paul married his high school sweetheart, Nancy High of Friend, NE. Together, they had three children; Roger W., William R., and Kari K. Kasl. They resided in Lincoln, NE. Sadly, Paul and Nancy's union did not last, but they remained friends. On March 23, 1984, Paul married Melody A. Taylor, a divorced woman who brought three children to the union; Holly A., Heather A. and Sean A. Taylor from Mulino, OR. They resided in Lincoln, Nebraska until 1992.

In 1992, Paul and Melody sold their Lincoln home, bought an RV and lived full-time on the road for ten years. Their son, Bill, managed the car wash from then until 2015, when he became the owner. Due to their exposure to so much of North America, Paul and Melody resided in Nebraska, Florida, Michigan, Arizona, Oregon and Idaho during their marriage.

Paul was self-employed for most of his working life. He owned gas stations and did auto service and repairs in Crete and Goehner, NE. For a short time, he worked for a company that built power lines in Missouri. In 1968 he became the mechanic for an automatic, conveyor car wash in Lincoln, NE. Shortly after becoming the mechanic, he was promoted to manager. He worked for Husker Car Wash as a manager/mechanic until he wanted to own a car wash. In 1977 he bought a facility that became Kasl Car Wash. Two years later, he was hired by one of the major manufacturers of car wash equipment in Portland, Oregon; Hanna Industries. He became their International Troubleshooter. He resolved problems with equipment, trained new operators and installed car washes in Europe, Asia, Australia and Scandinavia. Since he loved travel and the car wash business, this was a dream job for him. He had an opportunity to buy his former worksite, Husker Car Wash in Lincoln, Nebraska and did so in 1983. He turned that into a thriving business and purchased two other locations. They, too, were successful business ventures. But he found that he had no work/life balance and decided to sell two of his locations. He kept Husker Car Wash and retired by selling this location to his son, Bill in 2015.

Paul's hobbies were waterskiing, camping, aviation, motorcycling, sailing (one off racing in Nebraska and cruising in Florida, full-time RVing, and traveling.

His special interests were "building a better mousetrap," particularly for conveyor car washes, and transportation by almost any means. He loved to learn new things.

He belonged to and was very active in The Nebraska Car Wash Association, The International Car Wash Association, the Experimental Aircraft Association, Holiday Ram bier RV Club, the Tampa Sailing Squadron, and the Cheboygan Yacht Club.

Paul is survived by his wife of 42 years, Melody A. Kasl of Meridian, ID and his former wife Nancy Kasl of Lincoln, NE; his children; Roger W. Kasl, William R. Kasl (Erin}, Kari K. Kasl, and Heather A. Parrott (Jon) of Lincoln, NE, as well as, Holly A. Taylor-Fry ( Jonathan) of Stratford, CT, and Sean A. Taylor (Michelle} of Meridian, ID; his brother John (Connie) of Staplehurst, NE; grandchildren; Carson Kasl of Lincoln, NE Arora Burkhardt of Lincoln.NE, Ashley Taylor of Meridian, ID, Brooklyn Taylor or Meridian, ID, and Hailey Fry of Stratford, CT and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Victor L. Kasl of Swanton, NE, Johanna B. Kasl of Lincoln, NE, his sister, DeeAnn Schwisow and brother-in-law Glenn Schwisow of Geneva, NE, brothers-in-law, Richard Alden of Murphy, ID, Robert High of Dennison, IA, and Travis Alden of Astoria, OR.

Paul's request for his service was to have a party. He said that he had lived a wonderful life filled with family, great friends, work he enjoyed, and much travel.

Paul's Party will be held from 12:00 pm, to 3:00 pm, Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at Maddie's Wine and Whiskey, 835 E. Fairview Ave. (intersection of Lakes and E. Fairview Ave. in Meridian, ID 83642. Minors are welcome.

In lieu of flowers please send a donation to the Alzheimer's Association .