Paul Arden

ARDEN, Paul Joseph Sr., passed away June 22, 2006. Before passing away, Paul not only helped mold the lives of those who took time to listen but also helped transformed the American landscape. A first generation American, he was born December 22, 1925, to Vasil and Katherine Arden in Gary, Ind. His father was an accomplished carpenter who was able to create numerous false facades and hidden passages in Paul's childhood home. These hiding places provided secure storage during prohibition for the bootleg whiskey the family produced and sold, along with milk, to provide for the family during the depression. Paul would help his older brothers deliver milk and whiskey concealed in bottles painted white to many of the neighbors. At age seven, this additional income became vital when Paul's father was accidentally killed. Paul attended Tolleston High School and caddied at the Gary Country Club. He immediately joined the U.S. Navy upon graduation in 1944 to join his four brothers already serving in World War II. Assigned to LSM-57 and holding the title of Cox man, Paul drove beach landing crafts during the battles of Guam, Saipan, and the liberation of the Philippine Islands. During one invasion, Paul's boat was hit by a mortar just as he had delivered a group of marines and was returning to his ship. Paul had to jump into the water under heavy fire and swim to another craft in order to return to his ship safely. Although he seldom voluntarily talked about his service to his country, he was very proud that he was able to do so. He was also grateful that he and all of his bothers were able to return safely to his mother and younger sister, Ann. He remained in the naval reserves after the war and wanted to start a career in aerial photography but was soon called back into service during the Korean War. During the Korean War, as dad put it, he kept the North Koreans out of Orange, Texas. His primary mission was frightening the residence along the Sabin River by racing his patrol boat at top speed on "beer" runs. After being discharged, he returned to Indiana to start college, but soon quit to pursue a career as a land surveyor in Chicago. In 1958, he met his bride, Alberta Lee Cash. They married on June 28th of that same year and his devotion to his wife of almost 48 years remained unwavering. In the mid 60's, he moved into commercial construction. His dedication to accuracy helped create a reputation that made him a well sought after commodity on many projects in the Chicagoland and Tampa areas over the next several decades. He helped change the skyline of Chicago with such projects as the Prudential Bank Bluilding, the John Hancock Tower, The Sears Towers and the expansion of O'Hara Airport. He worked for Cason Engineering as a land surveyor in New Port Richey, Fla., helping transform a sleepy little town into a major city north of Tampa. His last project before moving to Dallas was the Braidwood Nuclear Power Plant in Illinois. In 1982, Paul went to work for the Henry C. Beck Company in Dallas, Texas. There he worked on the Gaston Hospital Renovations, The Colonnade Bank Building and the IBM-Salina office buildings. After retiring from construction, Paul worked for the Richardson Independent School District as a bus driver. Working around children and making them laugh was one of the many joys Paul brought to this world and his time at Richardson Independent School District was very rewarding to him and provided many fond memories. Paul is survived by his loving wife, Lee; son, Paul Jr.; daughter, Robin Rowe; step-daughter Linda Crawford; grandchildren, Melanie, Emily and Paul III Arden, Katie Garrett, Samantha Bruck, Patrick and Georgia Rowe, Kelly Coppel; daughter-in-law, Wendy Arden; son-inlaw, Lamar Rowe; brother, Frank Arden; and numerous nieces and nephews. Paul was a great husband, a fantastic father and grandfather. Being a diehard, lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, he was always optimistic and never gave up, right up to the end. He will be missed by all who were fortunate to know him. Funeral will be 10 a.m Tuesday at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church. Visitation will take place 6-8 p.m. Monday at Sparkman Funeral home in Richardson, Texas, (972) 238-7855