Gordon Paul Lape

Gordon “Paul” Lape passed away at Aspire Physical Recovery Center of West Alabama on February 17, 2024, at the age of 86. Paul was preceded in death by his loving wife of almost 56 years, Linda Noblitt Lape; parents Edson Lape & Ruth Youngman; daughter Rebecca Lape; brother Robert (Barbara) Lape and sister Yvonne (Bob) Owens.

He is survived by daughters Debbie D’Amore and Karen (Kevin) Worley; son Greg (Kristy Reynolds) Lape; former daughter-in-law Joanna Bryant Lape; grandchildren, Candice (Kristen) Levesque-D’Amore, Ashley D’Amore, Jennifer D’Amore, Kriston (Shannon) Arnold, Allison (Austin) Floyd, Griffin Lape, Gracen Lape; great-grandchildren Mason, Preston, Kelly, Kathyren, Peyton, and Brooklyn-Chevy; brother Joseph (Jackie) Lape, sister Ruth Thompson, brother David (Barbara) Lape, sister-in-law Joyce Racz, brother-in-law Johnny (Glenda) Noblitt, and sister-in-law Nancy (Ron) Smith.

Paul was born in Columbus, OH and grew up in Memphis, TN. When he was 17, with no high school diploma, he convinced his mother to sign the contract that would allow him to join the United States Marine Corps. He used to laughingly recall that they tried to send him home from Parris Island because he was too skinny to even pass as a 17- year-old. He went on to serve a total of 12 years. He reached the rank of Staff Sergeant, serving on active duty (8 years) and in the Reserves (4 years). Paul served as an infantry machine-gunner and then in Naval Air Supply, where he found himself attached to Marine Helicopter Squadron One.

Upon separation from active duty, Paul began an over 40-year career in the sales of power equipment. He loved running chain saws at dealership “demo days” all over the Southeast. However, as we can now humorously and lovingly recall, his hearing did not. He knew the meaning of hard work. Always early to rise, rarely was he sitting and doing nothing. Oftentimes his career had him traveling the roads of Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee. You can believe he knew those roads like back of his hand. He loved to ask others what highways they planned to take to get somewhere.

In retirement, Paul and his beloved wife Linda enjoyed the “RV life”. They traveled the country and eventually settled into being “park hosts” at several Corp of Engineer lakes in North Georgia. Eventually, they settled in Alabama to be closer to their son. Many lifelong friends were made from neighbors, church family, colleagues, and in the RV parks. These friends remained dear to them both until the end.

Paul will be buried at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, AL, along with his wife Linda. A celebration of life for both of them is scheduled for March 1st at 10:45 AM.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his honor to The Semper Fi & America’s Fund (thefund.org), an A+ rated charity that cares for our Nation’s critically wounded, ill, and injured service members, veterans, and military families.