Paul Estes Thomason of Arkadelphia, left this earthly life for his heavenly home on Thursday, January 22, 2015 from Twin Rivers Healthcare and Rehabilitation in Arkadelphia. Paul was born on September 27, 1925 in Alpine, (Clark Co.) Arkansas to William Allen and Mary Amy Kirksey Thomason.

Paul attended school in Alpine and graduated from Amity High Scholl in 1944. He immediately was drafted into the United States Army and served for two years during World War II. He was attached to the 34th Division and fought in the Philippine Theater on the Val Verde Trail out of Baggio. He completed his Army service in Japan after the end of the war. He as awarded the Purple Heart for injuries he received while in the Philippines.

Upon returning to Arkansas, Paul enrolled at Henderson State University where he received his BS in Mathematics. After this, he began a career in education which lasted for over thirty-five years. He first taught in Smackover, Arkansas. After completing a Master’s Degree in Counseling from East Texas A & M University in Commerce, Texas, Paul spent the next twenty-eight years as a junior high school counselor in Borger, Texas. He retired in 1985.

Paul was a lifetime member of the Lion’s Club, various educational organizations and was a Disabled American Veteran. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Arkadelphia. Paul loved the beauty of the outdoors. His favorite times were when he was fishing, hunting or gardening. He enjoyed traveling, reading and volunteering for those needing his help.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Helen Wheeler and a brother, Faye Thomason plus his first wife, Nevada Wallis Thomason.

Survivors are his wife; one daughter; one brother; two sisters.

Graveside services with military honors will be at 11:00 AM Monday, January 26th at Oak Grove Cemetery near Alpine with Rev. Jim Polk officiating.