James Paulik

1941 – 2024
We mourn the loss of a remarkable, esteemed, and cherished man who was a husband, father, grandfather, friend, and educator. Known to many as Jim, he passed away surrounded by his loving family on August 24th, 2024, after a sudden and brief illness. Services will take place on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, starting with a Rosary at 1:30 p.m. with a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 2:00 p.m. Interment will take place Thursday, August 29, 2024, at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens at 10:00 a.m. Jim Paulik, a resident of Dallas, Texas, with a seasonal home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, to Anthony Paulik and Clara Schuster. He was a proud third-generation Austrian.
Jim's education was extensive and diverse. He earned his B.A. in philosophy from Saint Joseph College in Rensselaer, Indiana. He then studied clinical psychology at Marquette University. In 1969, he attended Oklahoma University, where he specialized in early childhood education, earning a Master of Arts in Teaching with a focus on Montessori education. In 1971, he studied sociology at the University of New Mexico. He completed his doctoral education at Texas A&M in Commerce, Texas.
In 1972, Jim married Dina Jaramillo. Together, they raised two daughters, Nadia and Denean. Their marriage was more than a union; it was a partnership dedicated to making a positive impact at home, in their community, and around the world.
Senator Fred Harris and LaDonna Harris played a pivotal role in Jim's move to Dallas, Texas. Having worked with the Cheyenne reservation at Saint Labre in Ashland, MT, Jim was invited to Dallas to assist Native Americans relocating to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Recognizing the need for quality education, Jim founded the American Montessori Society's Dallas Montessori Teacher Education Program, which has now been in existence for 50 years. His contributions have been extensive, with many teachers from both public and private schools benefiting from the program.
In addition to teacher training, Jim and Dina established Dallas Montessori Academy, providing first-class education for children aged 3 to 14. Jim is remembered by his beloved wife, Dina Paulik; his children, Nadia Paquette and her husband, Scott Paquette; Denean Paulik; and his three cherished granddaughters, Isabella (16) and twins Clara and Chloe (12), sister-in-law, Nila Baker, brothers-in-law, Steve Jaramillo and wife, Dinah; Andrew Jaramillo and wife, Luanna; many nieces, nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews. He is also fondly remembered by the Montessori community of teachers, students, and friends. Please sign Jame's online tribute at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen, NM.