Harry Emmett Paul

Harry Emmett Paul, age 89, passed away September 9, 2010, at Risen Son Christian Village in Council Bluffs.

He was the son of Ida Ruby (Salyers) and Harry Ashton Paul, was born on January 30, 1921, in Malvern, Iowa. He grew up and attended school in Henderson, Iowa, graduating from Henderson High School in 1938. Harry was an excellent athlete in high school, playing basketball and baseball. He attended Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, as a pre-law student. Harry then enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps in 1943 and served overseas in the European Theatre, piloting a P-47 Thunderbolt on 75 sorties. He was honorably discharged in 1945 as a First Lieutenant. While at Iowa State, Harry met his future wife, Jane Elizabeth Potter, on a blind date. They were married on December 6, 1947, at the Presbyterian Church in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Harry and Jane purchased an 8-foot by 27-foot travel-trailer from his cousin and established their first home on the Paul family farm near Henderson. Two and one-half years later, they moved into their present farm home. Their marriage was blessed with five children: Charles Ashton, Elizabeth Ann, John Addison, Katherine Marie, and James Benson.

Harry was a member of the Henderson United Methodist Church, the Henderson American Legion, and the Lions Club. He served on the Henderson School Board and was a 4-H leader for a number of years. Harry was a member of the Masonic Lodge and served as a director for Western Iowa Mutual Insurance and Hawkeye Bancorporation. He was a volunteer fireman, served on the Henderson Cemetery Board, helped coach many Little League baseball teams, and was instrumental in organizing Henderson Days and Fourth of July celebrations for many years. Harry also enjoyed participating in town team baseball after returning from service. The Pauls traveled often on family vacations with favorite destinations including Lake Okoboji, Colorado, Florida, and South Dakota. Many of the early family trips were centered on Harry looking at livestock for the family farm. The family was always busy with many 4-H projects and fairs, church, sports, and other school activities. Harry enjoyed golfing and bowling, and he and Jane also enjoyed collecting antiques. They later became snowbirds traveling to Arizona each winter. Harry and Jane always enjoyed hosting family gatherings for birthdays and holidays. One of their favorite antiquing finds was a table that could seat the whole family. They particularly enjoyed the Fourth of July, and Harry enjoyed having a fireworks display every year. Harry's love of the land and farming lasted throughout his life. One of his proudest moments as a farmer was when the family farm was recognized as a Century Farm. Harry and Jane were married 60 years when Jane passed away August 6, 2008, at Risen Son Christian Village in Council Bluffs. Harry continued to live at his home until moving to Risen Son, where he passed away.

He was preceded in death by his parents; beloved wife, Jane; sister-in-law, Helen Bower Rush; and brothers-in-law, Bob Bower and Tom Rush.

Harry is survived by his children, Charles Paul and wife, Sue, of Henderson, Betsy Johns and husband, Bill, of Malvern, Iowa, John Paul and wife, Cathy, of Henderson, Kathy Toman and husband, Joel, of Manitou Springs, Colo., James Paul and wife, Harva, of Hastings, Iowa; brother-in-law, Tom Potter and wife, Betsy, of Jacksonville, Fla.; fourteen grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; and many other relatives and a host of friends.

Visitation is Sunday, September 12, 2010, at Hertz Funeral Home in Carson, Iowa, with the family receiving friends from 1 to 4 p.m. Funeral services, Monday, September 13, at 10 a.m., at the funeral home, with Military Honors followed by private interment in Farm Creek Cemetery, rural Henderson. In lieu of flowers, memorials suggested to Farm Creek Cemetery and the Henderson Little League.

This obituary was originally published in The Daily Nonpareil.