Cornelis (Kees) Paap

Cornelis (Kees) Paap died in his home Saturday, August 3, 2013 of injuries related to Parkinson’s Disease. Kees was born in Zandvoort, The Netherlands on November 15, 1949. He studied in the Netherlands and worked more than 20 years as a traffic engineer for the Province of North Holland. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease at age 39 and was forced to retire 10 years later. In 1998 he moved to the US when he married Faye Armstrong. They were blessed with a daughter, Suzanna in 2002. Kees also has two children from an earlier marriage, Natasja and Wilco. He adored his children and wife and they adored him.

While still in the Netherlands, he was very active in the Parkinson’s community. He co-founded YOPPERs (Young Onset Parkinson’s PERsons) in The Netherlands and in Europe, and he organized numerous fundraisers, always hoping for a cure. He was a published and award-winning poet, finding beauty in the world around him. His latest book was entitled “PD and Me”. He loved fishing, dancing, playing music and bowling. He was active at Sherwood Church of Christ. He was an inspiration to so many people.

He is survived by his wife of 15 years, Faye Armstrong-Paap of Odessa, daughter Natasja Paap and son Wilco Paap of The Netherlands, and daughter Suzanna Paap of Odessa, sisters Lenie Cassee, Alie Schaap and Wil Benjamins all of The Netherlands, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation is scheduled for 5:30-7:30 pm Thursday, August 8, 2013 at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 2 pm Friday, August 9, 2013 at Sherwood Church of Christ in Odessa. Memorials may be made to the American Parkinson’s Disease Association, the Michael J. Fox Foundation or the Sherwood Church of Christ Youth Fund.