Jess D. Paul, 84, of Leawood, Kansas, passed away Sunday, May 18, 2014. A Funeral Service will be held at 12:30 p.m., on Tuesday 27th, at McGilley State Line Chapel. Visitation will be prior to service starting at 11:30 a.m. Burial in Mt Moriah & Freeman Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Wayside Waifs 3901 Martha Truman Road Kansas City, MO 64137. Jess was born Sept. 6, 1929 in Elkhart, KS to Earnest and Molly (Wood) Paul. He gave up his scholarship to serve in the US Army during the Korean War. He graduated from Northwestern State University where he met and married Woo Yeun Lie and raised three children. He was a highly regarded superintendent for various schools. Later in life he served as a Diplomatic Consultant in Tokyo for the US Government, traveling widely to inspect and report on developing countries. Jess enjoyed life; living each day to its fullest. He met and made friends everywhere he went. He was an amazing, deeply loved husband, father, grandfather, mentor and friend who will always be missed. He is preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife of over 60 years Woo Yeun Lie (Lee); children Margaret Lee Paul, Jess D. Paul, Jr., Nancy (Paul) Nance and son-in-law Paul W. Nance; grandchildren, Lauren Rachel Paul, Ryan Paul Hughes, Evan Lee Hughes; sisters Naomi Turner and Ruth Woodson, and three nephews and two nieces. Condolences may be left online at www.mcgilleystatelinehapel.com Arr. by McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Rd., Kansas City, MO. McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Rd, Kansas City, MO 64145, 816-942-6180

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Published by Kansas City Star on May 25, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for JESS PAUL

Sponsored by Paul & Nancy Nance.

10 Entries

Margaret Paul

April 22, 2024

My Dad was the best Dad he could be. He was strong and ethical and honest. He was smart and was hard working. Because he lost his own father when he was 7, he tried to make up for it by being the best Dad he could be. I mean, who else with go out of his way to take his family to Disneyland when we were going to Tokyo?
He practiced his handwriting as he got older. I found a few pages. I noticed his writing was firm and clear to the end. I think of that when I write.
As a child and I know for the rest of my life with him, I would call out "Dad!" in the middle of the night if I was scared or bothered. There would be a beat and then "Yes, Margaret Lee" ? And then it was always OK. By the way, I rarely did that, but there was comfort. One time was my first introduction to an earthquake at night when we lived in Tokyo.
I wish I could do that now sometimes......because I miss you and love you. Thanks for the library trips, mountain trips, insisting we take Arthur Mactavish (we as young kids called him Art Fart) who was an old man who had no visitors, on our little family outings, thanks for being so solid and stoic but soft inside. And....you were able to navigate different worlds with finesse.
I miss you every day.
Your Daughter #1
Margaret Lee Paul

Pat Slentz

May 19, 2023

Thinking of your loving family. May your memories be filled with blessings.

Jesse Paul, Jr.

April 15, 2016

My Father was quite frankly the epitome of all that was good in this life, all of the wonderful, "magical biological gifts from our God, (he was a Biology Major/Teacher/Grade School and High School Principle and Superintendent of Schools as well as being a Successful winning Football and Basketball coach and taught these areas of the mind and the body to hundreds of grateful and touched students.)During part of his life, my Father also served his country with distinction both in the Military and with the Foreign Services as a U.S. Foreign Diplomat My father encompassed all of the "Manly things AKA as John Wayne or "The Duke," personified. In fact my Father was "The Duke," who would always stand up for the little guy, and never, ever ran from a fight, and finished them all, always quickly in victory, with honesty and honor his steed. But, My Father was more than anything else, a nurturing, teaching, patient, loving and wonderful father figure to all of his children while being the good and perfect husband, to his wife, or as we like to say, his "fourth child," to and with my loving Mother, Lee Paul. Sadly, the Lord has taken him to his Reward, which he so richly deserved. Selfishly, I want him back in my life to tell he once again, about just how much he meant to me, just how so very much that I really cared for him, and how much his great humility was looked upon by so many people, and how he helped those people learn what the values of true humility and grace under pressure were really about. I also want to tell him time and time again just what his stature as a consummate, true and compassionate Christian man meant to me, and the many times I needed to ask him for his forgiveness and understanding and to forgive me for the times that I may have turned my back on his true and decent and committed morals, or worse the times that I had or may have caused him pain in his tender heart. I must live with this now. Sadly, I wish he were with me for just one more moment to look into his beautiful strong and wisdom filled hazel eyes and allow me tell him how he taught me more than He will ever know on how to be a more successful, loving, caring father and provider for my wonderful daughter just as he did for me. I have come to the conclusion that I will never be the great man, my Father was, but I am a better man for acknowledging that in itself. I mourn that fact that I will never have that opportunity again in my life, but I keep on living for the day when as he used to tell each of his Children, that when we went to Heaven he would be there waiting for us, to catch us, when "we were dropped into Heaven," Then I will have that moment to gaze into his eyes and words will not matter anymore but the feeling between us will tell our entire story of a Father's and Son's Loving and Caring and persevering great and wonderful relationship that we shared so lovingly between us.

"I love and miss you, Daddy. I will be waiting for you to Catch me when I fall into Heaven with your strong arms" All My Love, Your Loving and grateful Son, Jesse David Paul, Jr.

Scott Kliewer

October 7, 2014

"Mr. Paul" was our Superintendent in Ingalls, Kansas from around the time I was in 3rd grade & on for quite some time. I always respected Mr. Paul & now that I look back I can see where Mr. Paul reciprocated that respect back to me.
Now this doesn't mean that Mr. Paul went light or turned a blind eye when I did wrong. What Mr. Paul did do the one time that I do remember that I needed his correction was to address me with the same respect that I had shown him. To me I saw this as standing in front of your "Commanding Officer." I was told not to do it again & I didn't do it again. I was smart enough to know that I didn't want to be on the same side of Mr. Paul as the other guys that were told "Don't do it again" but did it again!
I guess simply put it was a blessing to have a "Mr. Paul" in your life as a young child growing up. Someone who's yes was yes and no was no. Someone in authority over you with whom who you knew exactly where you stood in relationship with. Someone that stood tall, strong, & even imposing at times, but yet had a really friendly smile.
Yes, I know quite a few of the guys at Ingalls saw Mr. Paul quite differently than I did. Maybe, just maybe, that's because Mr. Paul, was a whole lot sharper then any of us gave him credit for back then. And because of this Mr. Paul could pretty much read each & every one of us guys like a book & knew how he would need or not need to deal with us. FWIW- I keep saying guys because back then most of the girls were headed for Sainthood compared to the guys!
Anyway, just wanted to take a little trip back to Ingalls, Kansas in the Seventies. I also want to thank Mr. Paul's Family for allowing us to get to know & be kept in line by your Husband, Father, & Grandfather.
Like Nancy said in her message, "His faith was unswerving and I know he is with our Heavenly Father", and yes, I have to concur. It is because of my faith in Jesus Christ that I expect because of the way things are going that someday soon, and very soon, those of us that know Jesus as Savior & know Mr. Paul will be reunited in Heaven.
I for one can assure you that Mr. Paul is on my list of people that I plan on looking up to give a big, solid handshake to, and to look them in the eyes and just say "Thank You".

Margaret Scheirman

May 26, 2014

The world is obviously a better place because of this gracious man's life and loving care of his family and encouragement of others. The ripples of goodness going out from his stone in the waters of life have reached (and will continue to reach) many shores. Praying for peace, comfort and consolation for family and close friends in your time of sorrow.

Pat Nance Slentz and Eric Ferm

May 25, 2014

Jess epitomized the "greatest generation." He gave in all ways from the heart. May your memories of his life and all his contributions to our world bring some comfort at this time of grief. We're thinking of you, Nancy and Paul, Margaret and Jess, Jr. May his service Tuesday be truly a celebration of his life!

Nancy Nance

May 25, 2014

I cannot imagine a more loving, compassionate and family-oriented father. He was our rock, our hero and gave his all for his loved ones. His faith was unswerving and I know he is with our Heavenly Father and loved ones. Rest in peace, Daddy, and know I will love you forever.

May 25, 2014

Jess was my high school coach in Wilmore kansas, where I ranked 4th in my senior class. Only 4 were in my class! He & his wife were super people & good friends of my parents. I respected him greatly. Dale Eggleston

Farrell Ramsey

May 25, 2014

Jess was my mentor and dear friend of over 50 years. He was the most honorable man I ever knew. He could never be bought or bribed and always did what he thought was the right thing. I never knew another like him.

Nancy Welchon

May 25, 2014

Jess was a good father and raised you very well. I know you will miss him.

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