Paul Jay Clarahan

Paul was born on the 15th day of March in the town of Mount Pleasant, Iowa. He would have happily lived his whole life in Iowa cheering for the Iowa Hawkeyes if he hadn't joined the US Air Force in April of 1990. While in the Air Force, he lived in Oklahoma, Nebraska, and also spent time in England. When he was stationed at the FE Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming, he met his wife, Julie Lyn. In 1998, the internet was new and exciting, and they met up in an online chat room on AOL. They were married on February 14th in the year 2000. Together, they raised their son, Marcus, in Wyoming before moving to Nebraska. While in Nebraska, Paul was stationed at Offutt AFB. He was medically discharged from the Air Force in April 2008 as a SSGT. But, he wasn't ready to retire just yet. He trained to become a semi-truck driver so he could support his family as well as travel the United States which he loved fiercely. While driving that truck he was able to travel through almost all of 48 contiguous states of America.

Paul was something of a "Renaissance Man" according to his wife, Julie. He could wield a hammer and saw like a pro, could build most anything he dreamt up, and loved to tinker in his garage workshop. This was a skill he learned from his father, Pat. His mother, Barbara, instilled in him a love for creating all types art. This was a hobby he also shared with his wife who was also an art teacher. Paul was an avid sports fan but, baseball was his favorite. As a lifelong Chicago Cubs fanatic, he was over the moon when they won the World Series back in 2016. Paul and Julie had several pets together and who played a large role in their family. Our beloved husky, Woody, and totally chill gray cat, Buzz, passed away many years ago. But, pets were just a part of who the Clarahans were as a family and it wasn't long before Gibbs, a beautiful black Newfoundland/German Shorthair pointer mix, and McGee, a German Shepherd/Corgi mix, joined the family. Paul had what can only be described as an eclectic taste in music. On any given day, he might start by listening to 1980s rock music before switching over to some Irish instrumental music and, then ending his day by singing along to Disney showtunes.

Paul and Julie lived a rather unpredictable life. During their 25 years of marriage, they weathered many storms together. They cried, laughed, yelled, loved, and did it all again and again together. Over the last few years, Paul struggled with his health more and more. This last year was certainly the hardest. His family is deeply saddened by his passing, but are comforted by the knowledge that he is no longer fighting chronic pain every day.

Paul was preceded in death by his mother, Barbara, as well as his much loved grandparents. He is survived by his wife (Julie), their son (Marcus), his father (Pat), his sons (Zach and Devin) as well as his siblings (David, Patricia, and Libbie).

A Memorial Service for Paul will be held Friday, October 3, 2025 at 10:30 am, with Visitation starting at 9:30 am at Westlawn-Hillcrest Funeral Home, 5701 Center St, Omaha, NE 68106.

Following the Memorial Service will be a Committal Service with Military Honors at 12:30 pm at Omaha National Cemetery, 14250 Schram Rd, Omaha, NE 68138.