Paul Douglas Box

PAUL DOUGLAS BOX went to be with the Lord on Saturday, August 18, 2012. Paul always said he wasn’t battling pancreatic cancer but was merely inconvenienced by it, a true testament to his outlook on life. Born on September 17, 1953 in Wichita Falls, Texas, Paul graduated from North Mesquite High School in Mesquite, Texas and East Texas State University (Texas A&M – Commerce). After graduating from college, Paul climbed the Procurement corporate ladder in successive roles at Johnson Controls, Convex Computer, DSC, Motorola, Compaq Computer/Hewlett Packard, Newell Rubbermaid, Federal Signal, and the Chamberlain Group. He retired from Federal Signal at the top of his profession as Chief Procurement Officer only to be lured back into the purchasing game he loved by the Chamberlain Group as Executive Vice President and Chief Procurement Officer.

Paul genuinely loved the profession of Purchasing and Procurement. A profession which took him all over the world, lead to a cartoon created about him when he was at Rubbermaid, and countless awards and accolades including being named as a “Top CPO” by Purchasing Magazine in 2006 and “Procurement Leader of the Year” by the Houston chapter of the Institute for Supply Management. This profession also led to meeting his wife and best friend, Deb. Paul also loved his family, his dogs, cycling and music. His music trivia with his friends and on his caringbridge site was legendary and he could quote dates, song lyrics, band member names and album titles without hesitation. He was a published author, avid cyclist and accomplished photographer.

Known for his kindness, thoughtfulness, generosity and devotion to his family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors, Paul was deeply loved and admired by all and will be missed dearly. He is survived by his wife Deb; parents Don and Joyce Box; brother Greg Box; daughter Liz Box; grandchildren Ethan and Lauryl Warren; family members Brenda Voshell; Al and Judy Voshell; Wende, Leif, Megan, and Jake Ayers; Cliff, Celeste, and Claire Aaby; Darin, Judy, John, and David Aaby; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

The family would like to especially thank Dr. H. Alejandro Preti and his staff, the Infusion Services nursing staff, and Dr. Anna Kagan - all of the Methodist Hospital for giving Paul and his wife not just 20 months of cancer care, but 20 amazing months such that Paul could live his life to the fullest and as if he didn’t have cancer at all. For that we are eternally grateful.

We would also like to thank Dr. Tom Sloan; Kroger Pharmacists Hollie Arney and Nancy Teo; and all the countless friends and family that read and wrote on paulboxsride. Words could never convey what your notes of support, friendship and love have meant to Paul, Deb and the entire family.

A Memorial Service will be held in honor of Paul Box on Thursday, August 23, 2012 at 3:00 PM at Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home Chapel.

Tributes in his memory may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Research organization at pancan.org, the Livestrong foundation at livestrong.org or Caringbridge at caringbridge.org.