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Paul Kober

Paul Kober, 85, of Enterprise, AL, passed away on Friday, January 30, 2026.

Paul was born on March 30, 1940, and raised in the San Fernando Valley in Southern California. Paul graduated from John H. Francis Polytechnic High School.

Paul’s passions were family, automobiles, off-road motorcycling, Volkswagens, boating, hiking, and history. Family was extremely important to Paul. He was married for 51 years to his beautiful, dedicated wife Becky Kober, also from the San Fernando Valley, California. Together they raised five children, along with three daughters-in-laws, two sons-in-laws, with eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and cared for 18 foster children.

Paul’s love of family extended well beyond the traditional definition of the word “family”. Whether blood relative, adopted, in-law, foster, or friend, you were a member of the family. With family in many states, Paul would not hesitate to travel to visit, celebrate, support, or just be with them. Even when family were far away, they always knew Paul would be there with simply a phone call.

Paul and Becky cared for 18 foster children, spanning a time period of nearly 30 years. Paul and Becky opened their lives to these children and treated all of them as their own. All of these children’s lives were improved by having a loving home in which to start their journey.

Paul could fix anything, and even before graduating high school, he began a career as an automotive mechanic. Paul not only made a living as a mechanic but loved all things mechanical. His garage was constantly full of his projects, and often many other people’s. Cars, Boats, Motorcycles, Bicycles, even the occasional model rocket. Whether it was an oil change or an engine rebuild, Paul was the neighborhood and family go-to for all things fuel-burning. He retired from the City of Los Angeles as a diesel mechanic when he was 57.

Within his love of mechanical things, Paul was an air-cooled Volkswagen expert, building buggies for the California desert as well as street machines and show cars. Paul helped many people get their cars running and keep them running. Riding off-road motorcycles in the Mojave Desert was where he loved to be. Working with the California Off-Road Vehicle Association, Paul successfully lobbied local, state, and federal organizations to keep riding areas open. There is even a trail between the towns of Randsburg and Johannesburg, CA, that carries his name. Whether spending time with family, fixing cars and motorcycles, hiking the Grand Canyon, water skiing on the Colorado River, or tearing across the desert, Paul was always on the move. Paul’s boundless energy and deep love for family will be sorely missed.

To honor Paul’s wishes, no services will be held.