PAUL S. WAHLBERG

PAUL S. WAHLBERGMay 24, 2010 - Paul peacefully left this world to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. There he will be joyfully reunited with Beverly, his wife of 52 years, who preceded him in death in 2001.Paul was a native Houstonian, born June 4, 1928 the third of four children to Philip and Ella Wahlberg. He grew up on Arlington Street in the Houston Heights. He graduated from Reagan High School in 1946, where he was a cheerleader, captain of the track team, and voted most popular in his senior year. It was at Reagan that he met Beverly Bezpatka, the love of his life, whom he married in 1949.Paul was a member of the Texas A&M Class of 1950 and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in architecture. His college career was interrupted by a call to the Army where he earned a rank of 2nd Lieutenant. After discharge he resumed his studies at A&M and earned his degree in 1955.After graduation in 1955, Paul opened his architectural firm. Over the next 49 years, Paul's firm would go on to design projects of all types in over 23 states. He had an uncanny ability to sell a job, put owners and lenders together, and supervise the construction until completion. He just knew what made a project "work".Paul was dedicated to the charitable endeavors of The Houston Golf Association. He was a member of the HGA for 52 years, President in 1970, and was named an honorary director in 2002. He was one of only three honorary directors appointed since 1946. Paul's enthusiasm for the HGA will live on in the form of The Paul Wahlberg Helping Hand Award. This award is given annually to a deserving individual for dedicated service to the community, the game of golf, THE PGA TOUR, and the Houston Golf Association.Paul's generosity of time and resources is alive and well at Texas A&M. He and Beverly provided a permanently endowed 12th Man Foundation Scholarship in 1978. A long time supporter of A&M Athletics, especially golf, Paul provided a new home for the A&M Men's and Women's golf teams. The Paul Wahlberg '50 Aggie Golf Learning Center is a state of the art practice facility that is recognized as one of, if not the finest in the country. The Aggie Men's Golf Team put it to good use winning the 2009 NCAA National Championship, the first in school history. Coach J.T. Higgins recognized Paul's part in this milestone by presenting him with a national championship ring.Paul is survived by his brother Philip, sisters Marie Kleckley and Martha Eastwood, son Jeff, daughter-in-law Judy, and beloved granddaughter Jaclyn. Paul enjoyed going to the auto races to watch Jeff's customers' engines run. He loved Judy's cooking and conversation. He loved anything about Jaclyn - from watching her sleep to going to and cheering at probably 10,000 athletic events she participated in. Soccer, volleyball, track, and swimming - he was "all in". He loved working at his farm. He loved mowing grass and talking to his cows. He loved life. He loved to take the time to make others' lives better. He will forever be an inspiration to all who knew him. He did it right.Pallbearers include Terry Russ, Coach Bob Ellis, Duke Butler, Robert H. Allen, Peter Mpefo, and Greg Ortega.Honorary pallbearers include Thomas Nyingo, Gary Nine, The Men and Women of Aggie Golf and the Men and Women of the HGA.Donations can be made in Paul's memory to The Houston Golf Association or Texas A&M Golf.Visitation from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Thursday May 27, 2010 at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home.Funeral Services 10:30 a.m. Friday May 28, 2010 at Forest Park Lawndale Chapel.Interment Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery.