Paul A Wrightsman Jr.

Paul was born to Paul, Sr. and Patricia Elaine Wrightsman in Beatrice, Nebraska. At 18 years of age, he left home and over the next 7 years held a myriad of jobs across North America. His adventures included being a machinist, copy boy/reporter and miner in California, a farm hand in Mexico, a factory worker for Lipton soup by day and beatnik poet by night in New York, a private investigator in Minnesota and then settling in California as a manager for a linen supply company. In 1961, he joined (drafted into) the U.S. Army as a personnel specialist and Korean linguist. Later, he attended Officer Candidate School where he was commissioned as an officer. His 20 years of service took him across the USA, South Korea, Azores, and a combat tour in South Vietnam. Shortly after starting his Army career, he met the love of his life, Sue Anne Wrightsman, née Ko Sun Cha, and they spent 58 years working together as they built their family. Married in 1965, Sue and Paul adopted a daughter and a son from Korea, Patricia in 1971 and Daniel in 1972. In 1981, he retired from the Army as a Major and became a Department of Army Civilian and managed housing in Korea. In 1984, he gave his life to Christ and began his work as a Bible Study Leader, Pastor, and shepherd to numerous fellow Christ-followers and several congregations. He served as Pastor for the Peace in the Valley Community Church in San Jose, CA and Fairview Community Church in Copperas Cove, TX, where he retired in 2016 after 32 years of service.

Through the retirement years of 2016-2024, Paul enjoyed working on various projects for his and Sue’s homestead. He reveled in Sue’s company while they either watched old Westerns or Korean singing/variety shows and movies. Paul was a stranger to no one as he openly prayed for anyone in need and helped when and where he could. Paul was authentically and wholeheartedly there for those in his life.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Paul, Sr. and Patricia, as well as his sister, Carol. He is survived by his wife, Sue, their children Patti and son-in-law Tony in Texas and Dan and daughter-in-law Amy in South Carolina, his brother Chris and wife Jean in Florida, four grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Full military honors will be rendered on Wednesday, February 21st at 10 am followed by interment of his urn at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Army Emergency Relief fund, an organization Paul supported and helps Soldiers in need.