Paul was born to the late Gradus and Gladys DeKock July 15, 1930, in Pella, Iowa. Paul grew up in Des Moines and Oskaloosa, Iowa, living on an acreage with his family which included siblings John, Louise, and Joanne. He received a B.A. in Speech at Iowa State Teachers College in 1952, and received an M.A. in American Studies from the University of Minnesota in 1956. He was very proud of his year at Harvard as a recipient of the John Hay Fellowship in 1961.
Paul married LaRu Butler in 1953, and they had two sons, Daniel and David. Paul and LaRu relocated to El Cajon California in 1956 where he taught high school American Studies from 1956-1988.
Paul married Lois Roberts Luddy in 1986 and became stepfather to Robert.
Paul was extremely creative, and touched the lives of countless students in Iowa and later at Grossmont High School in La Mesa, California, and at El Capitan High School in Lakeside, California, for 31 years. Paul and his long-time team-teaching partner, David Yount, co-founded Interact, a company that continues to publish educational simulation materials that enrich learning and understanding for students of all ages.
Paul retired from teaching in 1988 but refused to use the word “retired”, continuing to stay active playing his trombone, developing his passion for writing, and simply enjoying all that life has to offer. He was happy to wake up each day, eager to experience new learning. He loved his family, golf, photography, trombones, Haagen-Dazs ice cream, politics, teaching and learning, movies, and books.
Paul is survived by his wife of 27 years, Lois; his sons Daniel DeKock (Laurie) of Susanville, CA, and David DeKock (Leana) of San Diego, CA; his stepson, Robert Luddy (Amanda) of Austin, TX; his grandchildren August DeKock, Tenley Houghton (Dustin), Natalia DeKock, Emma Luddy, and Caleb Luddy; his great-granchild, Cadence Houghton; and his sister, Joanne Dow, of Topeka, KS.
In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting contributions to Habitat for Humanity.
“The end is nothing. The road is all.”
“Life is love and work.”
The celebration of Paul's life will be held:
Saturday, November 23, 2013, 2:00 PM
San Carlos United Methodist Church
6554 Cowles Mountain Boulevard
San Diego, CA 92119
There is an online guest book at: www.humphreymortuary.com
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