Paul Milton Sanders

Paul graduated from East Texas State College in 1957 with Bachelor of Science degrees in Chemistry and Mathematics. In July 1958 he enlisted in the United States Army and was on active duty in France until he was honorably discharged in May 1961. Paul continued to serve in the Army Reserves until July 1964.

Paul was a resident of Beaumont, Texas for 59 years, and worked as a chemist in the laboratory at the Goodyear Tire and Rubber plant for 35 years until he retired. But “retirement” was just a word to Paul and he did not let it slow him down. He spent many hours working in his garden and traveling all over the world, visiting every continent, as well as most of the United States and the Canadian Provinces. But most of all, he treasured the time he could spend with his family.

When his two sons were old enough to join the Boy Scouts, Paul joined as well, becoming a Scout Leader and a Scout Master to Troop #39. Paul was a Vigil Honor Member of the Order of the Arrow, the National Honor Society of the Boy Scouts of America, composed of Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives as elected by their peers. In addition to guiding both of his sons to earn their Eagle Scout Award, Paul led the Troop on multiple camping and hiking expeditions, including to the boundary waters in Minnesota, to the Philmont Scout Camp in New Mexico, to several National Scout Jamborees, and to World Scout Jamborees in Australia, Thailand, and South Korea. Because of his extraordinary efforts in serving the Troop and the Council, Paul received the Silver Beaver Award, a Council level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America.

Perhaps because he had lost both of his parents by the time he was sixteen years old, Paul cherished the time spent with his family, and he loved to see and hear news about his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His survivors include his daughters Terry Wise and her husband Harrell of Conroe, Texas, Laura Bodin and her husband Donnie of Zachary, Louisiana, and Paula Sanders of Prairieville, Louisiana; sons, Keith Sanders of Rosharon, Texas, and Kyle Sanders and his wife Treva of Mobile, Alabama; eight grandchildren, Travis, Ashley, and Erin Wise, Brandy, Courtney, and Timothy Bodin, Chad Sanders, and Kaylin Sanders; fourteen great-grandchildren; son-in-law Brian Sanders of Katy; and sister-in-law Bobbie Cowart of Spring, Texas.