Paul Richard Havens

When we realize that God is the perfection of all that we long for or desire, that He is the summation of everything beautiful or desirable then we realize that the greatest joy of the life to come will be that we shall see his face.

Paul Richard Havens, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, age 87 of Rockwall Texas, passed June 19, 2021. Paul was born August 2, 1933, to Paul & Katherine Havens in Batavia, NY.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents and sister Gail Larouere and his loving wife Joan Katherine (Heilman) Havens. Paul was R.F.C. Tech in the U.S. Army Signal Corps in Camp Gordon, Georgia during the Korean War. He received the National Defense Service Medal in NCO Leadership Instructor School. After enlistment, Paul was Plant Manager in multiple industries throughout his career.

Paul was a Black Belt in Judo and taught at Judo-No-Kata in Buffalo, NY area. He taught at YMCA of Lockport, NY and Clarence Senior HS, NY. In 1972, Paul partnered with other area Judo instructors to create the largest Judo Tournament, AM-CAN (American Canadian), held in the United States. This yearly tournament continued until 2019 and Paul was always considered an honorary guest when he attended.

Paul was President of the Optimist Club in Mena Arkansas. He was a member of the Stephen Ministry at The Christian Church of Rockwall. He attended church service and bible study with his wife Jan at Rockwall United Methodist Church.

Paul had a passion for the great outdoors – camping, fishing, boating, water skiing. He loved to work on cars. He had several classic cars that he brought to life that he was very proud of. Paul was the go-to guy for anything mechanical. Many reached out to him for advice and help, and he never said no to anyone. He loved playing the organ or piano and he loved Judo and his workouts at the Rockwall J.E.R. Chilton YMCA.

Paul was married to and will be dearly missed by Jeanette Havens of Rockwall Texas.

Paul is survived by children Denise Cox of Royce City, TX, Lisa Irek and husband Paul of Sachse, TX, Julie Stokes and husband Richard of Rockwall, TX, and Paul Havens of Abilene, TX. He is survived by grandsons David Goodwill and wife Amanda, Christopher Irek and wife Kayla, Steven Irek and fiancé Ashley Peltier, Justin Stokes and wife Lauren, Aaron Stokes and wife Adrienne, Evan Stokes, and Dillon Stokes and wife Madeline. He is survived by Great-Grandchildren Jake, Levi, and Lola Goodwill, Ethan and Emree Irek, Lydia Peltier, Hadley and Saylor Stokes, Riley, Sawyer, Gibson, and Laine Stokes, and Luke Stokes.

Funeral Memorial Service will be held Friday July 2, 2021 6:00 PM at:

Rockwall First United Methodist Church 1200 E Yellow Jacket Ln, Rockwall, TX 75087

To leave online condolences to the family, please visit www.sparkmanRichardson.com

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Rockwall J.E.R. Chilton YMCA at

https://p2p.onecause.com/ymcadallas2021/paul-havens/donate