James Paul Whaples was born October 22, 1946 in Oak Park, IL and died on January 12, 2021. Paul graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago Circle Campus where he received a bachelor of Liberal Arts and was on the Deans List in 1970. Right after college Paul joined the Navy and served in Vietnam where he was awarded the Commendation Ribbon for service in the face of adverse conditions in Danang along with the National Defense service medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Navy Unit Commendation Medal.
Paul was a very successful businessman. He worked at Snap-On Tools where he manufactured a process that permitted bottled soft drinks to slide towards the customer,so that they were easier to grab and made it appear the machine was always full of product. His success at Snap-On enabled him to retire early and travel the world on great adventures with his best friend Dave Thorpe.
Paul made staying fit a priority in his life by eating right, exercising and staying active. Every Thanksgiving our large family would gather together to overindulge and watch football while Paul would be jogging from his mother and father’s house to his sister Nancy’s house who was hosting Thanksgiving fifteen miles away, (just for the fun of it!) He combined his love for dogs with his love for running taking his dogs Rocky and Ralph for a daily five mile jog. He also was passionate about riding his motorcycle, dirt biking and snow skiing. He ran marathons all over the United States winning countless medals and even ran the 50 mile Mount Kilimanjaro marathon finishing it in only 10 hours.
Paul was a very handsome man with a sarcastic sense of humor and a beautiful smile. He always left people laughing with his witty remarks and charm.
Paul’s dedication to the care of animals included him generously donating to the Best Friends Animal Society, the wounded Warriors Project, along with many other charities throughout his life. Paul would also donate during Christmastime to the charity Heifer where they would give a cow to a needy village.
During the last years of his life Paul courageously fought MS so fiercely he was an inspiration to everyone around him. He never gave up, even in his final moments here on earth, before going home to be with Jesus who he put his faith in. Now he’s pain free and running again enjoying an amazing time in Heaven. He is survived by his sister Nancy Paulsen and his nieces Wendy Ernat, Suzy Price, Amy Paulsen, and Cora McKenzie and his nephews Todd Whaples and Darren Whaples.
Due to Covid, services will be held for immediate family only at the Riverside VA National Cemetery on February 2, 2021, where he will receive full honors.
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