Obituary of Doug Paul

BIOGRAPHY PAUL ~ Gordon Douglas Paul passed away peacefully at the Lloydminster Hospital, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan on Sunday, August 17, 2008 at the age of 79 years. Doug is survived by his wife Theresia of Blackfoot, two brothers: Albert & Edith Paul of Kitscoty, Bill & Eileen Paul of Blackfoot; one sister Florence Allen of Lloydminster as well as numerous other relatives. The funeral service for Doug was conducted from the Kitscoty Community Church, Kitscoty, Alberta on Thursday, August 21, 2008 at 10:00 A.M. with Reverend Bob Aldrich officiating. The hymns sung were "The Old Rugged Cross", "Amazing Grace" and "In The Sweet Bye & Bye" accompanied on the organ by John Scott. Honorary pallbearers were All Those Who Shared In Doug's Life. Active pallbearers were Larry Paul, Jim Paul, Wayne Paul, Debbie Theil, Jean Biever and Ann Erker. Interment was held at the Kitscoty Cemetery. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster, Alberta administered the funeral arrangements. The Eulogy as given by Reverend Bob Aldrich: Gordon "Douglas" Paul, "Doug" to all who knew him, was born on May 25, 1929. He was the fifth child of eight born to Wilbur and Myrtle Paul. Doug is survived by his wife Theresia, brothers Albert (Edith) and Bill (Eileen) and his sister Florence Allen, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother Myrtle, father Wilbur, brothers Jim, Harold and Earl, and his sister Nellie. Doug's mother died when he was only ten and her absence was deeply felt by all the children. With all those mouths to feed life was tough, but with everyone pitching in they got by. Those years of growing up without much left their mark on Doug. He learned early, and never forgot, that in this world you work hard and don't waste anything. Doug attended Flowerdale School and afterward chose to stay and help his Dad on the farm. Doug continued to farm after his Dad passed away in 1977. In December of that year Doug married Theresia Klein and they lived on that farm to this day. Doug's marriage to Theresia was a blessed event for both of them - indeed, Theresia saved Doug's life, for he had developed some unhealthy habits that she persuaded him to abandon. They were each other's best friends. I don't think I ever saw the one without the other. Doug and Theresia had numerous friends that they met with regularly at the Co-op coffee shop and the Lloydminster farmers' market. They also made regular trips to Vermilion where they met their many friends. Doug will be sadly missed by all of his friends and family, particularly his daily wake-up calls, weather updates and government rantings. My own experience of the calls; many times Doug called me with concern over the latest news stories and I finally suggested that he quit watching CNN. Doug and Theresia took great pride in their garden produce and willingly shared it with anyone not fortunate enough to produce their own. Doug was also quick to help neighbours however and whenever called upon. Doug was no stranger to our fellowship. It was only when ill health set in that he and Theresia were unable to attend worship. Doug and I often talked together about life and God. About family and faith. All families have times of tension and sometimes those tensions can cause a distance to grow between brothers and sisters. It is no secret to anyone here that the Paul family knew such tension. Doug often told me that it was too bad that things had to be that way. He hoped that before the end came for him that there could be a healing and a forgiving. He particularly treasured a handshake at a family reunion. In the end it was to his family that he turned - to his brother Albert and his sons. A lesson there for all of us. No matter what the hurt, no matter what injustice we have endured, nothing tasted as sweet as forgiveness... CARD OF THANKS Theresia and the Paul families would like to thank friends and neighbours for their kindness and support during this difficult time. Thank you to the doctors and staff at the Lloydminster Hospital for their care of Doug during his illness. Special thanks to Reverend Bob Aldrich of the Kitscoty Community Church for his support and to the Church ladies for the wonderful lunch following the service.