Paul was a special man and his wife is also special. My cousin, Craig, loved his in-laws and could never say too many good things about them, and I can't either.  Rosa, Debbie and family, all of you are in my prayers.

10 things I love about my Papa:

1. Till I was about 7 or 8 I didn't even know they were called peanut butter cups. Always called them "Papa's candies" & had to ask really nice & promise to be good to get one 

2. Love fishing. Every year when school let out we'd pack up the boat & reels & drive 8+ hours to The Gulf to spend a week fishing. Sometimes spent my birthday at South Padre island, sometimes on a boat, a few times spent the whole day in the darn truck on the way there or back home starring out the back window, bored as hell. But always worth it. Remember growing past the age to not have to wear the life jacket anymore & also catching my first fish on the Beba alongside the Lupe, and my biggest fish (threw a hook in my sister Ashley's arm, she had to get a tetanus shot, lol) sometimes we'd just sun on the front of the boat, till I placed a quarter on my sisters leg & she had a bright white circle, ha. Then Papa would show us how to gut & filet the fishes, I liked to throw the guts to the birds.  

3. Welcoming everyone into the family, that after time became his bestest friends... Billy Gay, my step-dad Craig Fontenette, Uncle Scott Woodard. They knew a side of Papa that the rest of us never saw, I'm certain of that. 

4. Watching the men fry turkeys every single Thanksgiving & Christmas. Starting early in the morning, the art of frying a turkey: injecting the cajun flavor we yusta only be able to get at "Macy's" (which is actually what my Papa called Academy for those that don't know) watching the temperature closely, drinking beers, hauling them in, letting em rest, and carving them for plate assembly line serving. Over the years, 1 turkey turned into 2, 3, even 4 or 5 recently so others could take them to their families back home. Waaaaaay too much food, leftovers for days & days! 

5. He was a collector. From ball caps & Tommy Bahama shirts to exotic masks from all over. He love to show them off and tell you stories about each one of em. When Nana was ready to part with some antique piece of furniture I was always ready to take it off her hands. We would have to sneak it past Papa or wait till he wasn't around because he was worried we were just gonna throw it out. If he only knew how much I am like him as a collector as well. 

6. I watched him become more comfortable & involved towards the generation behind me than he was with directly with us grand children as I was a young child. Though he was starting to have alzheimer's, I am thankful that the effect was that he was more loving & involved as opposed to the much more negative alternative we so often see.

7. Watching old westerns with the volume turned all the way up...that's all I have to say about that, lol.

8. He was a man of few words. As they say, "The smarter you get, the less you speak" Then Papa must've been the wisest man I know. He was a reserved, stoic man. As i watched him I've learned to hold my tongue, listen & observe more...and ultimately...the wiser you will become. Just to sit on the back porch in the mornings and drink our coffee enjoying the peace & quiet. So many memories, not having to say one word. Great lesson to learn. 

9. Roses for Rosa. I watched my Papa pick the best roses for my Nana almost everytime I visited as an adult. Nana once told me, "He goes & picks these from my rose bushes out front." Such a funny & super sweet, romantic gesture. Thank you Papa for showing me what True Love looks like for an eternity. I'll accept nothing less, #relationshipgoals 

10. Pride of family, Pride of loved ones & Pride of heritage. I was amazed to learn of some of my ancestors. According to my Papa, we are descendants of the Younger Clan (The Younger brothers ran with Jesse James) also possibly a famous judge of the western era, & the Lincoln family. Don't know how true that last one is. He told me how proud he was of me a few times. Once was during my reenlistment and it was all I could do to try not to break down & cry in front of a bunch of my co-workers when I was the center of attention. That really meant a lot to me hearing that.

I've known Paul for as long as I can remember... His son Scott was my best friend growing up and I'll never forget how he made me smile and laugh every single day that I was around him!  My prayers go out to Rosa, Scott and the rest of the family...  Paul will be greatly missed, I know all the angels are smiling and laughing that much more now that he's in heaven.  Love you Pops!

Paul has been part of my family for as long as I can remember.  I have so many special memories of this very special man.  Rosie I will never forget the way he would look at you and listen so intently to your words as you comforted him.  You had such a calming effect on him when those nurses would show up.  I saw unconditional love, respect for one another and total trust, I am so glad you two had one another.  I am praying for you and your beautiful family.

You will always be my hero dad. And now you are my angel! I love and miss you so dearly. You were the best father a girl could ask for.
And I know that is why I can out fish almost any man. Missing you dad.......you daugher Suzie Woodard

The light of my life has gone out. I have a hole in my heart that will never go away but I will try to make a meaningful life to make him proud of me until we are together again....then I am gonna kick his behind for leaving me here.

Paul, I miss you I'm sure almost as much as the family does.  Don't go catching all those big trout and reds right away, just save some for another time. If ever a man lived that earned the title, "he's as honest as the day is long", that man was you, my good friend. Farewell...

Bill

Many prayers for you and your family!  Paul was a great man!  He will be missed.

Sincere condolences to Mr Paul Witt ,from the Fontenette family...The news of your passing is devastating . My memory of you and your unconditional love is a fond one. You were the perfect father-in-law, fishing buddy,good friend to my brother. He Always looked forward to spending time with you..You were Real..!  Rest in peace and may God bless you !   PS...you and Craig don't be up there cutting up too much...

We pray the love of God enfolds you during your journey through grief. The Bible urges us to pray regularly continually, thanking God for his goodness to us and looking to him for guidance, comfort, and strength. 1 Th. 5:17. We send you thoughts of comfort.

There are no words to explain the pain of the loss of a dad! Please know that we are all doing the best we can to hold this hole together.  

My dad did the best he could with all of us growing up and as luck would have it even when we "did not agree" he was on the right track. My kids were also very blessed to be able to call him their PaPa and have him for so long in their lives. Love you all and Please HUG A LOVE ONE TODAY! {<3}

So sorry to hear of your loss. Paul was a great man and a special friend. I will miss him dearly. I have very fond memories that I will cherish forever. Coleen and I send our condolences to the family.

OBITUARY

Paul G Witt

January 28, 1938 – August 28, 2016

Brookside Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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