Paul M. Ustic

Paul was born in Gray, Maine on February 14, 1935 to James Paul and Lillian (Hansen) Ustic. He was the second of five children born to James and Lillian. As a teenager he and his sister Sonya would walk to the American Legion hall on Saturday nights to attend dances as he was quite the dancer. It was also remembered that he had a very full head of hair as apparently he was combing it all the time. He quit school during his sophomore year and went to work to earn money to buy a car. He purchased a Ford Club Coupe with front and back seats. He wanted a car with a rumble seat but couldn't find one.

He was 19 when he joined the Air Force in 1954. After boot camp at Lackland Air base in Texas he was transferred to Biloxi, Mississippi and then he returned to Lackland as that's where he met Winifred Marakovitz. They got married April 3, 1963. In October of 1964 they were blessed with a son they named David. Paul was part of the MARS (Military Affiliate Radio System) Unit working in communications for the military. This required him to be sent to the Antarctic for a year when David was little. David and Winifred did not go on this move. But being a military family they were usually required to move each time Paul was transferred. They went from Texas to Colorado Springs, Colorado. Then Paul was sent to Vietnam for a tour there. He was awarded a commendation medal for his time served at Tan Son Nhut Air base in Vietnam. And then came the big move to London, England. Paul spoke highly of the neighbors and friends they made there. He and Winifred really seemed to enjoy their time in England. When they returned to the states they moved to McClellan Air Force base in Sacramento California. Their final transfer came in November of 1972 to Richards Gebaur Air Force base in Kansas City, MO. This is where Paul would retire and call home. He retired as a Technical Sergeant in 1977.

After retiring from the military he went to work as a dispatcher for Armour Trucking. In the mid 1980's he discovered his knack for selling cars and would work for three local sales companies, Bill Mansfield Nissan, Raytown/Stadium Nissan, and Molle Toyota over the next 20 years earning numerous awards as he was always "Top Salesman of the Month" and "Top Salesman of the Year" too many times to count!

The 1990's brought a daughter-in-law and a granddaughter to Paul's life. But they ended with the loss of his dear Winifred after almost 36 years of marriage. Diagnosed with inoperable cancer, he saw her thru their last journey together, taking amazing care of her right till the end. She passed away March 18, 1999.

The next chapter in his life began when he met Catherine Isbell. His dancing skills appeared again and his fancy footwork must have swept her off her feet for they got married June 2, 2001. This union added more family for Paul; Cathy's 8 children, 24 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Travel was enjoyed by Paul and Cathy in the next several years. Trips to visit family in Maine, New Mexico, Florida and Georgia. The hot air balloon festival in New Mexico was a favorite. But as sometimes happens, health issues get in the way. He was visiting family in Maine when he fell ill and had to have a quadruple bypass in 2006. After returning home, life resumed its normality with family gatherings for Easter Egg hunts, Christmas dinners and trips with Cathy. But a minor car accident several years later would reveal loss of kidney function and begin another road to travel for his final years. His body was tired and he left us on March 24.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, James and Lillian, by his wife, Winifred, by his brother Tyrone Ustic, by his sister Marlene MacConnell and his step-son Mike Isbell .

He is survived by his wife Cathy Ustic of the home, his son David (Diana), his granddaughter Sabrina Ustic, his sisters Livia Leigh and Sonya Ustic of Portland, Maine, 7 step-children, 24 step-grandchildren, 4 Step-great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Saturday April 7, 2018 at St. Thomas Moore 11822 Holmes Rd Kansas City, MO. Visitation from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Service at 11:00 a.m.

Family and friends are invited to Cathy's home after the service for lunch.

In lieu of flowers the family has asked for contributions to be made in Paul's name to HELP Humane 17122 Bel-Ray Place Belton, MO 64012

The family would like to say thank you to the staff at Promise Hospital in Overland Park, KS for their great care and concern for Paul during his stay there. It is very much appreciated.