Paul Wanner Gleichauf II passed away on October 14, 2013 after struggling with failing health for the past several years. Paul was born on November 14, 1950 – a mid-century baby boomer who was a product of that generation in every regard and a beneficiary of a warm and loving family life reminiscent of the television shows of that era. Paul, the son of a career Air Force officer (Paul), was born on Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska and followed his beloved mother Lygia, sister Julie and brother Rick to his father’s postings in Rabat, French Morocco, Columbus, Ohio, Springfield, Massachusetts and, finally, El Paso. He was a Cub Scout and merit badge earning Boy Scout and seemingly always held a job in his youth – shoveling snow from driveways, TV Guide delivery boy, paperboy, hamburger flipper, school bus driver and school cafeteria worker. In his day, Paul was a tremendous athlete, excelling in all sports such as football, basketball, tennis, baseball, swimming, snow skiing, and was a medal winning marksman in archery and target shooting . He was the City breast stroke swimming champion in 1966. Paul was a 1968 graduate of Coronado High School and a 1973 graduate of The University of Texas with a degree in Marketing. Prior to graduating from college, he worked at Canyon Village in Yellowstone National Park in the Summers of 1970 and 1971 which produced many great memories and stories for him. Paul’s college years were interrupted for many months in 1972-1973 when he underwent an operation to remove a malignant brain tumor and to undergo the subsequent radiation and chemotherapy treatments. Paul beat the odds and the inadequate medical treatments of the day and survived. However, the operation stole his hand/eye coordination and his athletic ability. Despite that setback, Paul never complained, thankful to God to be alive. Upon graduation, he started his career at El Paso National Bank before finding his niche in sales, working for such companies as Gillette, Schick, and Chesebrough-Pond’s. He absolutely loved sales and the associated travel and freedom from a desk job. While in sales, he was an active member of the El Paso Jaycees as a director and was once honored as Director of the Year. In 1979, Paul met Linda Sampson of Albuquerque, fell in love and they were wed in February 1981 with Paul Wanner III and Justine Marie born in the next few years. Unfortunately, Paul’s sales companies preferred to hire the young and he had to switch careers in his 40s. He dutifully went back to school to earn his teaching credentials and became a special education teacher with the El Paso Independent School District. Paul was completely dedicated to his special needs kids and devoted his energy to assist them at both Dr Green Elementary and Morehead Middle Schools and was eventually transferred into the home bound program where he would attend to the students’ educational needs at their homes. However, the long-term effects of the brain tumor radiation treatments in 1973 caused Paul to be medically retired in 2007. Despite his failing health, Paul never complained or sought pity. Paul was a life-long Catholic who invested in the Catholic education of his children and has been accurately described as the sweetest person in the world and one who had no enemies. He loved to be with his family, drink coffee and tinker in his study, work on his investments, play with his beloved Labrador “Sinclair” and watch the Fox News channel. He was extremely loyal to his friends when they were in need, oftentimes traveling to be with them following personal or medical problems. He was a loving and devoted son, brother, husband and father. We will miss him every day of our lives. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Lt. Col (Retired) Paul Wanner Gleichauf and Lygia Lizarraga Gleichauf, his tios Justin Gleichauf, Rene Diaz, Servando Lizarraga and Guillermo Lizarraga, his tias Josephina Gleichauf, Bertha Lizarraga, and Sophie Lizarraga. He is survived by his devoted wife Linda Gleichauf and their son Paul Wanner Gleichauf III and his wife Ludim and his grandson Aiden, and daughter Justine Marie Gleichauf and her boyfriend Branden McNeely, his sister Julie DeFrancisco, his brother Richard and his wife Angelina Gleichauf and tia Reva Diaz, his mother in law Lorraine Sampson, sisters in law Ann Severi and husband Don, and Karen Sampson, and brother in law Mike Sampson. Funeral services are entrusted to Martin Funeral Homes West. Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 17, 2013 from 5 pm to 9 pm with a Rosary at 7 pm. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, October 18, 2013 at St Patrick’s Cathedral with interment at Memory Gardens of the Valley on McNutt Road. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Rescue Mission of El Paso, one of Paul’s favorite charities. Honorary pallbearers include Paul Wanner Gleichauf III, Federico (Fred) Diaz, Marcos Lizarraga, Kelvin Green, Branden McNeely, Orlando Minjares,
Gary Olmstead, David Geck and Walker Beard.
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