Paul Orick

Paul Orick, 76, of Lima, Ohio went home to his savior unexpectedly, Tuesday August 26, 2014 at the Gadsden Regional Medical Center in Gadsden, Alabama. He was born on November 14, 1937 to Scott and Martha Jane (Maiden) Orick. His parents and a sister Sarah Ruby Murrell preceded him in death.

Paul, one of nine children, was raised in a small log home on the hills of Bell County, Kentucky. His father was a minister and they all went to church regularly. There were no luxuries to this humble lifestyle. However, according to his sister Shirley, they had all that they needed-food, clothes, and a home. With a fairly sizeable family and very few resources, they had chickens and pigs to eat and they plowed their fields with a mule and harvested their own food along with planting and canning. Paul and his siblings had to walk a mile-a-half down Wiley-Maiden Hill to Lonnie Maiden’s store at the end of the road every morning in order to catch the bus to Frakes School. Paul’s best subject was Math. Paul’s grandparents lived nearby and had a fruit orchard. They cut their own Christmas trees and made their own ornaments. Their Christmas stockings would have fruit and usually a toothbrush and some socks. They were very appreciative for everything they did have and were always respectful of their parents. Paul was always grateful for his heritage and his life on that hill.

At 17, Paul fibbed about his age in order to be accepted in to the Army and enlisted with his best friend L.H. Maiden. He served in the United States Army in Germany as a medic from 1955 to 1957.

In the late 50’s, Paul followed his Brother Ishmel (Red Orick) to Warren (Detroit), Michigan and discovered the high demand for the skilled Tool and Die trade in the Automotive capital of the World. Paul worked as a tool and die maker apprentice during the week in Warren, Michigan, coming home to his wife and children on weekends. In 1965 he moved his family there. He worked for Charlie Grant and Ed Kinney at Four-Slide Inc. and Grant Industries.

In 1969, he returned and along with the help of his wife, established Orick Machine and Tool in a former, small gas station owned by his brother in Gomer, Ohio. He built dies (tooling) with some of his key toolmakers Louis Bonifas and Tom Liebrecht along with the great help of his brother and best friend Red. His wife was in charge of the Administrative side of the business and would personally truck the tooling herself to customers in the area and up to Detroit for many years. In 1979, he moved his company, Orick Tool and Die (Orick Industries) to the current location in Elida, Ohio. After years of hard work and the help of highly skilled and loyal employees, Paul built a very good company. For many years, Paul held an annual Christmas party for employees, family, and friends. He was known for his fairness and generosity and made a lot of good opportunities for many folks.

On many occasions, Paul loved to return to the hills of Kentucky, driving slowly as he reminisced about his childhood, pointing out sites that were special to him, and visiting relatives who still lived there. He enjoyed spending time at his other home in Hokes Bluff, Alabama with the significant person in his life Beverly Newman, who survives him and her two daughters Hope (Larry) Craft, of Chickamauga, Ga., and Melba (Frank) Barnes, Of Hokes Bluff, Ala.; her four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Paul cared dearly for her family.

Over time, he collected many antique cars. He enjoyed Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson music. He liked working in the yard and grilling steaks late in the evening after a long day of work. He absolutely adored the southwestern landscape of the Four Corners area and spent a great deal of time out west and Vegas. He also enjoyed Florida and the beach very much. He always wanted to purchase a small farm in Florida a few miles in from the coast. Paul was a guy with a big smile and was a down-to-earth man who treasured his family and friends. To his successes he gave all credit to the Lord above. He had life-long friends and colleagues Louis Bonifas, Joe and AC Hamlin, Gene Hersten, Louis Heslin, Don Jerwers, Jackie Jordan, Russ Kinkle, Bob Lamdin, Tom Liebrecht, Charles and L.H. Maiden, Pat Miller, George and Dan Sullivan, and Denny Thines.

He is survived by his four children: Gary Orick, Greg Orick, and Monica Orick of Lima and Paula Orick of Wapakoneta, Ohio. He has two grandchildren: Nathaniel Orick and LeAnn (Jimmie) Buckner and one great granddaughter Chloie Orick. Seven siblings: Ishmel Orick, Eldon (Alice) Orick, Mary E. Argetes, all of Lima, Sara Lou(Sherman) Fleming of Sidney, Ohio, Shirley Sloan of Jacksonville, Florida, Clair(Jerry) Sandel of Farmington, New Mexico, Renee(Richard) Derthick of Palm City, Florida and a half-sister, Vickie(Rocky) Rowe. He is also survived by his former wife and mother of his children Patricia (Snurr) Orick.

He was a member of Shawnee Methodist Church and Lima Community Church. He was also a member of the Elida VFW and the Lima Orioles.