Donald Don C. Paul

Donald Charles (Don) Paul was born on December 3, 1938, in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, the second of five children born to Anthony Joseph and Florence ( Sheasley ) Paul. He graduated from Arnold High School in Arnold Pennsylvania. Shortly afterward he married his high school sweetheart, Lillian ( Eli ) Puglisi and then joined the U.S. Army, where he specialized in electronics and radar. After 20 years in the army, he and Eli retired in Lacey's Spring, Alabama. Don traveled a good deal with his Army job and had many stories about life in Germany, Alaska, Okinawa, France, and Thailand. He and Ellie raised three children: Deborah, Lillian, and Chuck, all of whom still live in the area. His life was filled with the exploits of the kids-- and later, the grandchildren, and recently the great grandchildren. Don loved his country, and he took an active part in his community. While he worked for 30-some years at SCI/Sanmina in electronics, he helped establish the volunteer fire department, and served as Fire Chief in Lacey's Spring AL. After his beloved Ellie passed, Don became a volunteer at Happy Trails Therapeutic Riding Center in New Market. His duties as "volunteer maintenance chief" evolved over the next few years. At age 70 he mounted his first horse and discovered the joy of horseback riding. A year later he became a certified Spirit Horse instructor and helped youngsters achieve their horsemanship goals. Along the way he fell in love with and married the director, Kathi Dreps, in January of 2013, and enjoyed life at the farm in New Market. His last years was filled with trail riding adventures in the southeast with his buddies from Hazel Green Toney Saddle Club and his big red horse, Lucy. He also was active in the Tennessee Valley Civil War Roundtable and enjoyed his bowling activities at Redstone Arsenal.Don is predeceased by his father Anthony Joseph Paul, mother Florence J. Paul, sister Shirley L. Paul, and his wife Lillian ( Eli ) Paul He is survived by his second wife Kathi Paul, daughter Deborah Broadway, daughter Lillian A. Paul, son Charles A. Paul, 8 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, brother Robert Paul, and sister Lois McClain, brother Floyd Paul, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral service for Don will be held on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at 2:00 PM at Valhalla Funeral Home with Rev. Brad Hall officiating, with interment to follow at Valhalla Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, April 21 from 12 Noon until service time at the funeral home. Those wishing may make contributions to Happy Trails Therapeutic Riding Center in New Market Al, where he was a volunteer instructor.