Paul loved the earth, and he loved working with his hands.  From Georgia red clay, he miraculously coaxed crops; giving away most of what he grew.  He was a generous man.  That which wasn’t plowed or cultivated or dedicated to the elegant house he built on his large tract of land was left to nature.  He loved walking or driving through pasture and woods, hoping for a wildlife sighting in the refuge he too called home.
He loved family.  He especially loved my sister Gail.  My earliest memory of Paul is one of Linda and me peering over the built-in bookcase that separated our dining and living rooms, trying surreptitiously to catch a glance of the grown man who had come to call on our big sister who was then in college.  I think I was eight.  Of course, it was Linda’s idea.  I guess she recognized even then that something special was beginning.  Gail and Paul were married for over 56 years when he left this earth.  I cannot think of Paul without seeing his beautiful smile.  He was always so full of life, it’s nearly impossible to imagine life without him.  I pray for peace and offer love to all Paul's family and all who loved him.


 Although he had suffered several strokes over the past few years and had been unable to live the active life he loved, Paul remained good-natured, friendly and smiling. Thank you, Paul, for being you and for the many things you did for us during your 56 year long marriage to Gail - preparing a place in your yard for Ed and me to have our marriage ceremony, helping us build our deck, for hosting with Gail many fun family gatherings, and for joking around with me all those years. You shone brightly. We love you and will miss you. Rest in peace, brother. 

I remember the first time I met Paul, and it makes me smile.  It was funny. Didn't know we were family until years later....

I used to work for Planters Lumber in McDonough. The first time I met Paul he had ordered a framing package from Planters,  for his house in McDonough he was building. There was a wall built out of railroad ties and concrete, and he asked that I dump the load of lumber beside the wall. I told him it would knock  the wall down, and Paul said "I'm an architect, I built the wall, it will not fall." The lumber hit the wall, and the wall fell. They were very surprised it didn't hold. We all laughed about it  for awhile and I left. I made many deliveries when he was building their  house. Always was a nice and kind person. He will be missed by all who loved him.

Uncle Paul was a wonderful, energetic presence throughout my childhood, and he will be sorely missed. I know he had been declining significantly over the past seven years, and it is good that he is at peace now, even though it is hard to lose him. The pictures that have been uploaded are great, and I will always remember him as jovial and smiling. I'm including one of my own from when he came to my graduation.  I am thinking of everyone at this tough time, and Daniel and I send our love from the West coast. 

Gail,

Paul will be missed! Prayers for you and the family! He will be missed at our meetings held 2x a year! 

Paul East with wife Gail at George Washington Dinner, 2015, SAR,  Macon, Ga

Paul was a very kind and compassionate person who loved to share his wit and humor with everyone he met to brighten the day. He was quiet and thoughtful and very supportive of the groups he was involved in. He and his wonderful  wife wife Gail would often drive to Macon to attend the Sons of the American Revolution meetings and we had many memorable gatherings! Our thoughts and prayers go out to Gail and other family members. May god hold you in the palm of his hand as you cope with the loss of Paul in the days ahead.  In sympathy- John Trussell,  Ocmulgee Chapter Sar 

Paul has been a part of our family for so long it's hard to think of the time that he wasn't.  I loved working outside with Paul. When I lived in an apartment and needed to "play in the dirt again" I asked him for a small area of his field so I could have my own garden and he was surprised when I planted flowers..."You planted flowers in the middle of a veg. garden?"  I found out that everyday he would go pick flowers (from my soul food garden) and take them to Gail.  There was no way I could pick them all and I was glad to share.  The next year Paul had a flower garden just for Gail and planted some flowers that she asked for.  This was Paul.  He had a heart as big as all outdoors and always wanted to do something for the love of his life, Gail.  I will miss this man and will always think of him when I'm digging in the dirt.  (I will plant some flowers this spring and give some to Gail), I know he is  in Heaven, walking in a pasture or field, with warm sunshine on his back or in a boat catching shrimp with Charlie and the love of God all around him and he is at peace.  





I remember when Gail brought Paul over to our farm to meet Little Blue our 30" miniature horse that has a charity called Little Blue for blue lives. I took Little Blue over to the car where Paul was at. Paul had a bit of a hard time talking sense he had a stroke, but had no problem getting hold of Blues leadline trying to get Blue in the car with him.  I thought he was gonna take him home😁. I could tell that he was an animal lover 💙. 

St. Joseph's Episcopal Church

Little Blue for Blue Lives

Visitation - Haisten Funeral Home

Memorial Service - St. Joseph's Episcopal Church

Paul is survived by his wife of 56 years, Gail Gordon East, nieces Elsie (Ronald) Clark, Linda (Bob) Delano, Susan (Keith) Kearney, Sara (Trevor) Toth and nephews Walt (LouAnn) East, Joe (MaryAnn) East, David East, Kent (JongMei) Milner, Jim Milner, several grand and great grand nephews and nieces and beloved in-laws.

OBITUARY

Donald Paul East

6 December, 1937 – 5 February, 2019

Haisten Funerals & Cremations

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