Paul Mefford

Maurice Paul Mefford, passed on from this life on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. Born in Chesterfield, Illinois on March 4, 1938 to Maurice & Leola (Carroll) Mefford, Paul was a loving father, husband, brother, Bumpa, friend and servant. He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Susan Allen Mefford, daughters-in-law Leslie (Leale) Mefford, Susan (Grask) Mefford, and his parents. He is survived by his four children, Robert Mefford of Illinois, Tamara (David) Grisko of Texas, Stephen (Marcie) Mefford of Illinois, and Douglas (Traci) Mefford of Georgia; Paul is also survived by the great joys of his life - his 10 grandchildren: Robert Mefford, Victoria (Chris) Esterino, Tiffany Mefford, Danielle Grisko, Jillian (David) Guarisco; Jacob, Austin & Matthew Mefford; Aaron Young and Rachel Mefford; four great grandchildren - Audrey, Riley, Maddox and Jonah, with one more on the way - Elliot; his younger brother Dean (Joann) Mefford, three nephews, two great nieces and two great nephews.
Paul proudly graduated from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, as the first in his family to attend and complete college. After college, he lived and then married Susan Allen in Chicago, and bought their first home in Arlington Heights, Illinois; they moved to Grand Rapids and then moved to a farm in Jackson, Michigan; they then moved to Batavia, Illinois where they lived for 20 years; and retired to Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, where they also lived for 20 years. His last move was to Katy, Texas where he of course became a Resident Ambassador for his senior living facility.
Paul loved watching sports, particularly his beloved Blackhawks. He volunteered as a stage-hand in, and often attended, the theatre. An avid storyteller, there was never a joke he wouldn't memorize and repeat or a long yarn he wouldn't spin. Paul never met a stranger and was always the life of the party, inevitably serving and leading in every organization he was a part of - from being a game announcer for and running the hockey league his sons played in, to being a volunteer treasurer for the clubs in their retirement village. But mostly, he enjoyed helping his friends and family whenever there was a need.
Being born in a farmhouse with no running water, and attending the quintessential one-room schoolhouse, only strengthened his character, added color to the stories he told, and was never seen as an obstacle to achievement. After graduating college, Paul proudly served as a Private in the US Army. In his professional life, Paul held many positions in sales and sales management, becoming the President of a regional distribution company before his retirement. Even after retirement, he always found part time work including driving a limosine, delivering school buses around the country, and working in the golf course pro shop. In every position, both pre and post retirement, his favorite part was interacting with all of the people he met. Although the achievement he was most proud of is the family he and Sue created, and the successful lives and families of his children that has followed. Paul's family was everything to him and in the end, he was surrounded by his family as he made his final move.
A celebration of his life – funeral mass will be held at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Paul's honor to either: The Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA) or GiGi's Playhouse – Down Syndrome Achievement Centers.