Paul O'Leary

Paul O'Leary

Paul O'Leary, born July 21, 1928, in Bismarck, died Jan. 28. 2009, at Mountain Vista Hospital, Mesa, Ariz., after a short illness. Cremation has taken place. Services are pending.

Paul was born to Tom and Jenny O'Leary, Bismarck, and was the sixth child and third boy born in this Irish Catholic family. He graduated from St. Mary's Grade School and St. Mary's High School in 1946. As a young man of 16, he won the North Dakota State Golf Championship and went on to win two more State Championships. Loving the game of golf, he embarked on the PGA Golf circuit from 1950 to 1960, placing in many of the tournaments and winning several in the upper midwest. He also won the Senior Men's Minnesota Championship several times. He was inducted into the North Dakota Golf Hall of Fame and in 1999, chosen as one of the three athletes of the century - according to sportscasters.

He was in the Army during the Korean War stationed in the Phillipines.

Paul retired as a PGA professional at Lincoln Park Golf Course in Grand Forks after 33 years and moved to Mesa, where he lived until his death. While in Arizona, he participated in the Senior Olympics and won many medals in the shot put and discus for his age group.

He leaves his wife, Virginia, of 54 years; his son, Paul Jr.,Kansas City, Kan.; his daughter, Linda Arel (Jeff); his granddaughter, Taylor, Olathe, Kan.; his sister, Marilyn Lips, Bismarck and Mesa; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceeding him in death were his parents, Tom and Jenny O'Leary; one brother, Tom (June), Sun Lakes, Ariz.; his sisters, Nadine Smith (Dan) and Kay Lloyd (Dave), Valley City, Lenore Gress (Adam), Mandan; and an infant brother, Dennis.

Memorials may be sent to the American Heart Association or donor's choice.

Cards may be sent to 652 So. Ellsworth Road, No. 143, Mesa, AZ 85208.