Paul Andrew Eveson

EVESON Paul Andrew Eveson, of Fleet Landing, Atlantic Beach, FL, passed away peacefully on November 18, 2010 surrounded by family. A native of Pittsburgh PA, he was born on November 16, 1916 to the late John Thomas Eveson and Mary Jane Haviland Eveson. Paul was a graduate of Carnegie High School and a World War II Navy veteran. Prior to his retirement in 1979, Paul served as President of KGM Equipment, a division of Air Products and as CEO and President of OKI Supply Company of Cincinnati, OH. He held senior executive positions with companies in York PA, Washington DC, and Atlanta GA during his career in the welding equipment/compressed gas industry. Paul was a lifelong musician, first learning to play saxophone as a child of 5 and later mastering the clarinet, piano and organ. He started performing with the Eveson Family Band at the age of 7. During his Navy career he was proud to perform with Ted Vargas, Artie Shaw, and Fred Warring in several Navy bands. He continued public performances until just a few years ago both on organ and saxophone with his jazz trio, The SophistiCats, at various venues in the Jacksonville area. Paul had a lifelong love of aviation, learning to fly a small two-seater Ercoupe in the 1950s and later received his multi engine pilot's license. He logged many miles for business and pleasure, flying his planes coast to coast in the U.S. as well as Canada and Cuba. Paul was preceded in death by his first wife of 28 years, Dorothy Hammond Eveson, by Miriam Haag Eveson, his second wife of 28 years, and by Adele Cooley Eveson, his third wife. He was also preceded in death by his four older brothers, James, William, John and Richard Eveson. He is survived by his daughter Marcia L. Richards of Cumming GA and his son Ronald Hammond Eveson of Charlotte, NC and wife Elaine. He is also survived by grandchildren Kyle Gordon Richards of Westfield NJ and wife Andrea, Todd Hammond Eveson of Raleigh NC and wife Erin, and Laura Michelle Richards of Brooklyn, NY and by great-grandchildren, Dylan and Aidan Richards, and Claire and Colleen Eveson. A private family visitation was held at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home on Saturday, November 20 followed by a graveside burial service at Oak Lawn Cemetery, Jacksonville FL.

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