Ken Paul

Also known by all as “Poppie”, Kenneth passed away at home on Monday, March 28th , approx. 2:20 am, from congestive heart failure. He was a wonderful husband, father & friend. Always willing to be there and help, lend a listening ear, had a great sense of humor, and was a strong, devoted Christian man. Poppie was a shining example of how we should all pattern our lives.

He was born in Johannesburg, South Africa to Percival Theodore Paul & Alice Louise (Wade) Paul. Kenneth had one older brother, Basil John Paul, who passed away at 34 years of age. Ken graduated from Maritzburg College (a private boarding school for boys, equivalent to high school) in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. He entered the South African Air Force, worked and studied to get to the rank of Lieutenant, became a pilot/squadron leader flying a B-26 Bomber plane in WWII, serving from 1939-1945.

After departing from the service he came to the United States to study at Carver Chiropractic College in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It was there he met his wife, Lucille Slohn, who then became Lucille Paul. He finished chiropractic college with a Doctorate Degree of Chiropractic, and he and Lucille moved back to South Africa. During the journey to South Africa, Ken & Lucille had the privilege of sailing part of the way on The Queen Elizabeth. They lived in South Africa for 3 years while Ken worked as a chiropractor. After this time they moved back to the U.S. and a portion of their trip was made via the well-known ship, The Queen Mary.

Ken established American citizenship and took great pride in being an American citizen. Ken & Lucille set up home in Oklahoma City, had two daughters, Susan & Kathy, then in 1958 decided to move to Modesto, California. Ken eventually landed a job as a Bearing Sales Representative and loved it. He gave up the chiropractic endeavor and did a change of course into sales! He traveled mostly to the West-side of Stanislaus County to serve businesses like factories, packing plants, and canneries that needed machine parts such as bearings to keep running. He built up a great clientele of customers over 39 years of dedication until retirement in 1988. They trusted him & knew they could rely upon him to get the job done right.

Poppie’s special interests during his lifetime were tennis, golf, bowling, ping pong, gardening, fishing, square dancing, visiting Branson, Missouri to enjoy country western music, his wife, children, grandchildren, and church. He enjoyed all of these things with his wife, and included the children and grandchildren into any part of his life they were interested in. He showed a genuine, caring interest in all people, but especially his family. He taught values of honesty, sharing, kindness, giving unselfishly, forgiveness, and most of all God’s love.

He & Lucille volunteered at Interfaith Ministries, supported Youth for Christ, and participated in several other church-related outreach projects. He was an Elks Lodge member for several years. Many years ago he organized an annual square dancing convention in Sonora, CA, called the “Cup of Gold” and became the first official President of the event. People from all over the U.S. attended the annual event.

Ken & Lucille joined First Presbyterian Church in downtown Modesto not long after they arrived in Modesto and attended with their daughters. Several years later they moved to Church of The Cross in Modesto and were active participants at this church. Eventually they transferred to First Baptist Church in Modesto, now known as CrossPoint Community Church, and had been currently attending until Ken was no longer able to leave his home due to his heart condition. Lucille is still a member of this church.

His surviving immediate family are his wife of 60 years of marriage, Lucille Paul,

oldest daughter – Susan Drewrey & husband, Bill (Modesto, CA), daughter – Kathy Warren & husband, Steve (Huntington Beach, CA) and 8 grandchildren: Kenneth Sylvia & wife Tene, Kevin, Kellie & Katie Drewrey, and Andrew, Trevor, Whitney & Grant Warren.

We would like to thank Optimal Hospice as well as Home Instead Senior Care for assisting our family at home caring for Poppie with a kind, compassionate attitude; always respectful to all of us, always giving Poppie the dignity he deserved.

In lieu of flowers, if you wish to make a contribution in Poppie’s honor/memory, memorial donations go to Youth for Christ, 937 Coffee Rd #5, Modesto, CA 95355 (209) 522-9568 - Ext. 127

We Love You, our beloved “Poppie” – we will treasure our memories of you ‘till we meet again!