Palestine High School Alumni Association

10 / 19 / 1931  –  12 / 06 / 2011

Henry Justus Paul Jr., of Palestine, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 6 at the Veterans Hospital in Waco. He was 80.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to noon Thursday, Dec. 8 at the Groesbeck Funeral Home.

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 8 at the Faulkenberry Cemetery, with his son-in-law, Greg Pollock officiating.

Henry was born Oct. 19, 1931 to Henry Justus Paul Sr. and Addie Lena (O‘Hara) Paul at DeKalb, Texas. He grew up in Crockett and Palestine where he graduated from high school.  After a year at Sam Houston State University, he entered the U.S. Air Force and served from 1950 through 1954, during the Korean Conflict. He traveled the world during his service, including England, Germany, and North Africa. He loved flying and enjoyed his time in the service. After his release, he attended Sam Houston a year, and a year at the University of Texas; he remained a Longhorn fan all his life.

Henry married Vonda Lynne Vaughn in 1956. He had worked with his dad in the printing industry from age nine. His dad worked for newspapers in Crockett and Palestine. After he married, Henry joined his dad in his print shop, Paul Printing Co. in Houston and Spring, and later he became the owner of the North Harris County News, for the next 17 years. He continued his love of airplanes, and obtained his pilot’s license and own airplane and enjoyed recreational flying. He loved horses and enjoyed riding and watching his grandchildren ride. When he retired, he moved to Athens and then back to Palestine, where he was involved with the Museum of East Texas Culture. In 2007, he donated his 1940 offset printing press and other presses and printing memorabilia to the museum. Henry was a member of the Baptist church.

Mr. Paul was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Vonda in 1995; and a brother, George Paul.

He is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Cathy and Greg Pollock of Austin; daughter and son-in-law, Cara and Brian Roberts of Athens; and daughter, Kelly Paul of Houston; six grandchildren, Meredith Pollock and Scott Pollock of Austin, Blake Roberts and his wife Keri of Athens, Rebecca Roberts of Athens, Justin Ellis and his wife Chantelle of Houston and Garrett Johnson of Houston; two great grandchildren, Landon Roberts of Athens, and Justin Ellis Jr. of Houston; and his special friend — his dog, Joe.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made to BARC, The Humane Society, 335 Armory Road, Palestine, TX 75803-7932 (903-729-8074).

Visit www.groesbeckfuneralhome.com to leave messages of condolence on the guestbook.

Palestine Herald Press – 12 / 08 / 2011