Paul is survived by his high school sweetheart & wife of 54 years, Jani, his three daughters Jill Rufus, Jana Rakes, Jennifer DeSaegher & their spouses, eight grandchildren, his three siblings, John, Jim & Carol, and numerous other nieces, nephews and in- laws who loved him dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents John & Tess DeSaegher.
Paul’s childhood & young adult years were spent in Los Angeles, CA. He attended Westmont University and received his Master’s Degree from Talbot Theological Seminary. In 1971 he and his young family, came to Lynchburg. Over the years, Paul expanded into entrepreneurship and operated several businesses. With his boundless energy, Paul found great joy in waterskiing, keeping a beautiful yard and making his pool a great place for his grandchildren to enjoy cookouts. He loved his rental tenants and took time to connect with everyone he met.
His life was a demonstration of Philippians 1:20 "…that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain."
A celebration of his life will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 15, 2018 in the Pate Chapel at Thomas Road Baptist Church. Family members will be receiving guests beginning at 6 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to one of the three missions organizations that were nearest to Paul’s heart: Navigators c/o Laurie Owl- UC Riverside, P.O Box 6079, Albert Lea, MN 56007; NICS c/o Joe Hale 3790 Goodman Rd. E., Southaven, MS 38672; World Help Humanitarian Aid, c/o Vernon Brewer- PO Box 501, Forest, VA 24551.
