Paul Sauer

Paul Louis Sauer, 85, passed away on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at home with his wife by his side. Born on June 1, 1940, in Columbus, OH, he was the son of the late Elwood and Frances Sauer. Following the untimely early death of his father when Paul was only four years old, his mother married John Schmidt in 1948. John raised both Paul and his younger sister, Patricia, as his own.

A 1958 graduate of Groveport-Madison High School, Paul was on the Student Council; participated in the band; played J.V. and Varsity Football and Basketball as well as Varsity Baseball. Following high school, Paul attended Ohio State University and joined the Ohio Highway Patrol for several years before moving to Florida where he became a Riviera Beach police officer. In May 1966, he went to the Florida Highway Patrol Academy at Florida State University then began working in Miami, the Turnpike and landing in Pinellas County (St. Petersburg) permanently.

Paul met and became best friends with Marilyn Paige Lynn years after she joined the Florida Highway Patrol as a Duty Officer. They married in September of 1984 in St. Petersburg.

Following 31 years of service from the Florida Highway Patrol, Paul retired in 1997. He then served another year and half with the U.S. Marshal Service as a Bailiff at the Tampa Federal Courthouse then moved to NW Florida and worked six years as a Process Server with the Santa Rosa Sheriff's Dept. In 2021, he and Marilyn made Longs home due to the heat in Florida.

An avid collector of cars, Paul owned between 50 to 70 cars throughout his life. His cars included: Corvettes, Mercedes, Porsche, and Mustangs. His last and favorite was his convertible Mercedes, which he, Marilyn and Youso made lasting memories each time they’d put the rubber to the road. He also had a love of power boats, and they enjoyed power boating through the Gulf and the Intercoastal Waterway, as well as traveling.

In addition to his wife of 41 years, Marilyn, Paul is survived by two daughters, Paula Kay Gordon and Marla Elaine Batting, and four granddaughters and two great-granddaughters. He also leaves behind his favorite “four legged” eleven-year-old son, Youso.