Paul J Tarantolo Sr.

Paul Julian Tarantolo Sr. passed peacefully in his home in Houston, Texas on Wednesday, January 27, 2022 at the age of 100 surrounded by his loving family. Paul was born January 12, 1922 in Beaumont, Texas to Julian and Jennie Tarantolo. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Beverly Mae Tarantolo. He is survived by his children Paul J. Tarantolo Jr. (Margaret Harper) and Renee Romeo (Charles); grandchildren Rachel Leppo (David), Sarah Harper-Tarantolo (Sam Newton), Jesse Castro (Stefan), and Laura Harper-Tarantolo; great-grandson Alex Julian Leppo; niece Rose Ann Barranco, as well as many other nieces, nephews, and his “adopted daughter” Deborah Polan. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Leonora Barranco, brother-in-law Frank Barranco and nephew Samuel P. Barranco.

Paul grew up in Beaumont where his father had a neighborhood grocery store. As a young man, Paul was active in sports playing baseball and basketball. He entered Lamar University in 1939 majoring in Mechanical Engineering. On December 10, 1941 at the age of 19, he joined the US Navy V-7 program which allowed him to continue his engineering studies and was transferred to Southwestern Louisiana Institute in Lafayette, Louisiana. In June of 1943, he entered Midshipman school at Columbia University in New York City and was commissioned as Ensign in September 1943. He served in the Pacific during World War II as an officer on the amphibious vessel LST 648. During the war, he participated in the invasion of the islands of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He was present at the Japanese surrender in the Bay of Japan.

Before the war, Paul met the love of his life, Beverly Mae Leblanc, while visiting relatives in Kenner, Louisiana. They continued to correspond during the war, and he asked for her hand in a letter to her father. After the war, they were married on September 9, 1946. Paul returned to school and received a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from Southwestern Louisiana Institute in 1948. Paul had a very long career as a Professional Engineer in the Petrochemical Industry which began in Beaumont and continued in Houston. He retired at the age of 95. Throughout his life, he enjoyed golf, bowling, hunting, and target shooting. After the death of his beloved wife, he took up ballroom dancing and later began successfully competing, earning numerous awards and trophies. Paul loved spending time with his four granddaughters and his great-grandson. Near the end of his life, Paul had two goals: to dance at his granddaughter Jesse’s wedding and to celebrate his 100th birthday. He accomplished both.

The family would also like to give thanks to the excellent care given to our father over the last two years by: Janis Austin and Cathy Lewis, Grace Anassi, Adis Martinez and Georgina Osedebame of Blessed Hands Home Care, and most recently Accredited Hospices of America.

A visitation with family & friends for Paul will be held Saturday, February 12, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77079. A funeral service will occur Saturday, February 12, 2022 at 2:00 PM with the committal service to follow.

Should friends desire, memorial contributions can be made to the National Museum of the Pacific War (www.pacificwarmuseum.org).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.memorialoaksfunerals.com for the Tarantolo family.