Paul William Karban

Paul William Karban, 94, of Scottsdale AZ died peacefully at his residence on March 9, 2025. His loving wife of 72 years, Peggy Sue (Eyler) Karban was by his side. Paul was born February 15, 1931 on a wheat farm near Fairmont OK to Jaroslav and Anna (Vencl) Karban. The youngest of four children, Paul grew up loving animals and farming. After graduating from Pioneer High School in 1950, he attended Oklahoma A & M College (now Oklahoma State University), where he met Peggy on a blind date. He married Peggy in 1952. After serving stateside in the Army just after the Korean War ended, Paul returned to Oklahoma A & M and graduated in 1956 with a BS in Agriculture Education. In 1956, Paul was hired by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service Cotton Division, where he was employed until his retirement in 1995. During his 39 years with the Cotton Division, he rose through the ranks from Cotton Classer in Winnsboro LA, where son Larry was born, to Assistant Officer in Charge and Assistant Area Manager in Memphis TN, where daughter Lisa was born, to Area Director in Hayti MO, where daughter Linda was born. Paul spent the last 16 years of his career at the Cotton Division as Area Director of the Phoenix AZ office. Paul regularly participated in the Cotton Division's national review of Universal Grade Standards for Upland and Pima cotton. During his USDA service, he earned the Cotton Division Certificate of Merit in 1976, 1991, and 1992. After retirement, Paul applied his many years of expertise as a Cotton Classing Specialist for Volkart International, Inc. Everywhere they lived, Paul and Peggy were active in community and church organizations. In Hayti MO, Paul was a member of Jaycee's, serving as President in 1964. He was District Chairman of Boy Scouts of America in 1970-1971, while living in Kennett MO. Paul and Peggy were founding members of Red Mountain United Methodist Church in Mesa AZ, where Paul served from 1984-89 as Finance Committee Chairman. He and Peggy were founding members of the Dobson Ranch Retirees Club in Mesa AZ, where he helped start and enthusiastically participated in the hiking and biking clubs. Paul's favorite things were camping, waterskiing, snow-skiing, hiking, spending time at all his kids and grandkids events, travel, a good cup of coffee and a piece of pie. He and Peggy spent countless hours camping and boating in Missouri, Arkansas, Arizona, and all over the mountain west. Paul's children remember his gift of making them feel like he had all the time in the world for them. They and his grandchildren treasure the memories of Paul and Peggy at all their school and sporting events, as well as time spent water-skiing, snow skiing, and laughing with him. Paul is survived by his wife Peggy, son Larry (Renee) of Memphis TN, daughters, Lisa Traditi (Frank) of Aurora CO, and Linda Sweeney (Mike) of Scottsdale AZ; grandchildren Blake Karban (Krystal), Drew Karban (Morgan), Jack Sweeney, and Carly Sweeney; great-grandchildren Emma Karban, Camille Karban, Rhodes Karban, and Miller Karban; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Paul is preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Mary Ann Clark, Jerry Karban, and Elvina West. Paul will be remembered for his wry sense of humor, his patience and kindness to everyone he met, his love of animals and the outdoors, but most importantly, for the love and devotion he always expressed for his wife and family. A Memorial Service will be held at Red Mountain United Methodist Church, 2936 N Power Rd, Mesa AZ 85215, on May 31 at 11am. Donations may be made in Paul's memory to Hunkapi - https://www.hunkapi.org/ or to HARTT - https://azhartt.org or to a charity of your choice. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Paul, please visit our Tree Store.