Paul Leroy Fern

Paul Leroy Fern, age 81, formerly of North Richland Hills, Texas passed away on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at home after a lengthy illness. Paul was born September 27, 1944 to Dorothy Warden and Delbert Fern at Lakeside Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri.

He proudly served in the Army 101st Airborne from 1962-1965. It gave him the structure he needed to grow up and plant his feet on solid ground. He was a member of the Choctaw Tribe in Oklahoma.

Paul retired from American Airlines after twenty-eight years. He then worked part-time for Avis-Budget for about twenty years.

He had a passion for bowling, his team mates and their spouses: Eddie (Ivy), Jimmy (Phyllis), Mike (Kathleen), and Mo.

Paul is survived by his wife of twenty-three years Cathy Sowders Fern, children Kimberly, Rebecca, Patrick (Kay), Rachel (Lee), step-son Ken (Ivonne) Maxwell, sister Vickie Thornton, brothers Del Fern and David (Barbara) Fern, grandchildren, step-grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephew and several half-siblings.

Paul was preceded in death by his mother Dorothy Warden, father Delbert Fern, biological father Cecil Johnson, and his beloved grandparents Walter and Georgia Gardner Warden.

We want to extend a special thank you to Dr. Chapman, Jennifer, and staff for showing care, respect, and fulfilling his medical needs for so many years.

We want to extend a special thank you to the staff at Community Healthcare at Texas Hospice. Your kindness, support, and dignity brought comfort during this difficult time.

Paul will be cremated and his cremation chest will be at the National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas. Families will hold private celebration of life.

A locale store was trashing a Ficus tree seedling. Paul asked to purchase the tree. The clerk said they were trashing it so he could have it for free. Paul insisted on paying a quarter. He took the sapling home, repotted it, and nurtured it back to health. He had that tree for almost forty years.

In lieu of flowers, please plant a tree, plants, or flowers and give them life in honor of Paul.