Paul Beauchamp

1930 - 2016

Paul Maurice Beauchamp
1930-2016
Paul Maurice Beauchamp, 85, died Thursday, January 28th, 2016 surrounded by family at his home in Houston. Until the last moments of his life his bright mind and famous wit kept all around him smiling and comforted.
He leaves behind the joy of his life, his wife of almost 63 years, Paula Low Beauchamp; their children: son Dr. Ray Beauchamp and his wife Ann of Richmond, VA, son Bob Beauchamp and his wife Laura, daughter Virginia Beauchamp Gray and her husband Melvin, and daughter Mary Beauchamp Chenoweth of Houston, TX; grandchildren: Rachel Beauchamp, Paul Beauchamp and his wife Bronwyn, Lee Beauchamp, Jack Beauchamp and his wife Hayley, Thomas Beauchamp and his wife Christina, George Beauchamp, Jim Beauchamp, John Chenoweth and his wife Courtney, and William Chenoweth; also beloved in-laws Mary Lou Low of Houston, and Buddy Low of Beaumont and many beloved nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father Judge O. A. Beauchamp of Hemphill TX, his loving mother Vergie McGown Beauchamp of Milam TX, his older brother Ray Alonzo Beauchamp, who died tragically before Paul's birth, and his beloved son-in-law Jay Douglas Chenoweth.
Paul Beauchamp was born in his childhood home in Milam, Texas on September 4th, 1930. He grew up an outdoorsman hunting and fishing and playing every sport in school. His love of the outdoors endured as he spent as much time as he could hunting and fishing and golfing with his children, grandchildren, and lifelong best friend and cousin, Bob Roper of San Augustine, TX.
He met "the most beautiful girl in Texas", Paula Low during their high school years in Sabine County, Texas. Paul attended Hemphill High School, and Paula attended San Augustine High School, and their romance grew into true love while they both attended Stephen F. Austin State University. They married on February 14, 1953 and moved to Houston, Texas after Paul volunteered to join the Air Force. In the Air Force, Paul quickly moved up to become a Senior Control-Tower Operator at Ellington Air Force base. He took great pride in his service from 1952 - 1956.
After the Air Force, Paul joined Gulf Supply Company in Beaumont, TX where he would spend many decades. He was hired by its founder, Roy Maness whom he respected and loved. Paul moved up through the training program from the warehouse, through sales and management. Ultimately, he became Executive Vice President, of the parent company, Gulf Consolidated Inc., as well as President of Gulf Alloy Inc.
After Gulf Consolidated was sold, Paul and other executives with whom he had grown up at Gulf Supply worked together at other companies and ventures, but Gulf Supply was to always be in his heart. Paul loved his alma mater, SFA, and was proud to have served, as president of the 'Sawyers' while a student, and later, among other things, as president of the Alumni Association. He was awarded a Distinguished Alumni Award from SFA in the year 2000.
Paul had, and still has, many strong friendships. He was a man's man, a loving tender father and husband, fiercely loyal, and a hard-working successful businessman. He was tough as nails, easy to cry, and naturally gifted beyond all others around him with a wit that was amazing to behold. He had a strong private faith and relationship with Christ in whose arms, we are comforted to know, he now rests free of pain. He loved his wife above all others and never once gave her a reason to doubt that beautiful reality. We miss you, Dad.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm on Friday February 5, 2016 at Wyman Roberts Funeral home in San Augustine, TX. The family will receive visitors before the service from 11:30am-1:00pm. Burial will follow at the McGown Family Cemetery in Milam, TX. Plans are also being made for a memorial service at Cypress United Methodist Church on Tuesday, February 16th at 11:00am.
In lieu of usual remembrances, the family asks that memorial contributions be directed to Cypress United Methodist Church 13403 Cypress N. Houston Rd., Cypress, Texas 77429 or to the Paul and Paula Beauchamp Scholarship at Stephen F. Austin P.O. Box 6096 Nacogdoches, TX 75962.