Paul M. Smith, Sr.

Paul M. Smith, Sr., 83, of Olathe, Kansas, passed away Thursday, August 25, 2016. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, August 29th, 10:00 a.m., at Church of the Nativity, 3800 West 119th, Leawood, KS, with burial following in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held Sunday, August 28th, at McGilley State Line Chapel, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ray and Helen Sonnenberg family scholarship at Rockhurst High School.

Paul was born February 11, 1933, in Stark, KS to George Hagan Smith and Agnes Butler. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration Accounting at Rockhurst University. He was Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Fringe Benefits Design, Inc. of Overland Park, KS an employee benefits administration firm and insurance agency, founded in the 1960’s. Paul retired from Fringe Benefits Design in the mid 90’s. He was Treasurer of the National Association of Life Underwriters for 13 years, a member of Missouri Association of Life Underwriters and Kansas City Life Underwriters Association. He earned a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation during his career. Paul was a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Round Table and was life insurance Salesman of the Year for three decades at Security Mutual Life Insurance Company (Lincoln, Nebraska). Paul was also a member of Toastmasters club and gave motivational speeches around the country. He was a member of Church of the Nativity in Leawood, KS. Paul was an avid tennis player and golfer and enjoyed his years of retirement in Marco Island and Naples, FL. Always ready with a joke, Paul lit up a room and never met a stranger.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents. .

The family would like to thank the staff at Santa Marta Retirement Community and a special thanks to Moses Suwareh, his beloved caregiver.

Condolences may be left online at www.mcgilleystatelinechapel.com. Arrangements, McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO, 64145, (816) 942-6180.