Retired Navy Chief Radioman Paul A. Weise of Davenport, Iowa, who began his final cruise on December 19, 2017, peacefully at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House. Paul was a World War II and Korean War veteran. Cremation was accorded as per his wishes. Interment will be at the Rock Island National Cemetery columbarium. Because of the holidays and winter weather, there will be no visitation. The family will hold a Celebration of Paul’s Life on a future date at the Cemetery.
He was born in Davenport June 5, 1925 to Arthur Weise and Margaret (Schmidt) Weise. His father died following an operation in 1937. He attended Trinity Lutheran schools until his mother and step-father, Navy Chief Machinist Mate John McKee, moved to Hopkinsville, KY. Chief McKee was called up from retirement to recruit for the US Navy in preparation for World War II.
Paul is pre-deceased by the love of his life and wife of 65 years, Mary Lou Gray Weise, who passed in 2012. They married in Davenport in 1947. Surviving are 3 sons: Steve (Sally) Weise in Charleston, SC, Cliff (Joni) Weise in Green Cove Springs, FL, Gary (Lennie) Weise in Lawton, OK. Also surving him: a brother, Donald (Linda) Weise in Roswell, NM: 5 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren: sister-in-law Doris Sullivan in Davenport: many nieces and nephews in Davenport and across the country.
Paul enlisted in the Navy in June 1942 at 17. He became a radioman and served on Land Ship Tank (LST) vessels during Word War II. During the European war he was part of the invasion forces engaged in Sicily, Italy, and Normandy, France. After victory in Europe, he was reassigned to a new LST in the Pacific island-hopping campaigns, including taking supplies and troops to the Philippines and Iwo Jima. After the victory over Japan, his LST ferried Japanese prisoners out of China.
He returned to Navy service in 1950-1951 to serve on USS Tacoma, providing shore bombardment and anti-aircraft capability, off the coast of Korea. After returning from Korean War service, he stayed in the Naval Reserves for over 20 years. His Reserve service included recall to active duty during the Vietnam War to recruit sailors and Marines.
His civilian career was centered around fundraising for Easter Seals and the bipartisan political action committee of the American Medical Association. Most of his post-war career was spent in Wisconsin. He and Mary moved to Florida in 1971, where Paul worked for Multiple Sclerosis Society and Albertsons, until his retirement.
Paul and Mary returned to Davenport in 2000 to continue their retirement closer to their Iowa families. Paul had many interests in his retired years and during the period after Mary’s passing. He was a Civil War history buff, an avid reader, and a fan of anything Navy; and he loved the morning newspaper and its crossword and Sudoku puzzles.
Over the years, he was a member/ supporter of the Fleet Reserve Association, US LST Association, VFW, US Naval Institute, USS Iowa Foundation, and Wounded Warriors, to name a few.
Paul’s family gives special thanks to the staff and caregivers at Silvercrest Assisted Living and at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorials be made to the Wounded Warrior Project in Paul’s name. Memorial messages may be left on the Runge website.
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