John Robert Paul

John R. Paul, age 84, passed away on November 4^th with family by his side.  He was born on December 2^nd, 1937 in Highland Park, Michigan to Dorothy Paul & Mark McGarvey.  He was adopted a couple of years later by his maternal grandparents, Casper & Carrie Paul. 

He attended Clarenceville School in Livonia and, in 1959, enlisted in the U.S. Army where he was stationed in Korea.  Upon his return, he met his bride of 59 years, Sydnee Van Aken at Riverside Arena in Plymouth.  Plymouth is where they made their home and raised their family.

John worked for and retired from Dearborn Fabricating & Engineering where he was a welder.  He loved to make things out of steel.  He made a mini army jeep that his nephew and daughter rode in for the Plymouth 4^th of July Parade.  He made instrument stands for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.  And, at one time was asked to make a 20 ft. tall windmill for Meadow Farms.

A devoted husband and loving father to three girls, he was always hands-on and had time to play catch, shoot baskets, go sledding and take the family camping.  He loved playing softball and was the pitcher for his team.  He was an avid bowler most of his life and enjoyed golf as well.  Especially, later in life, he looked forward to bowling and golfing with his brother-in-law, Jim Cummings.

He was a loving husband and, up until he couldn’t maneuver on his own, would make sure to give his wife a kiss every night before bed.  He really looked out for her while she suffered from Alzheimer’s while always making sure she was o.k. and taken care of.

He enjoyed his time with his grandchildren.  They meant the world to him.  He was so proud and would light up showing everyone their pictures.

John will be greatly missed by his children, Melinda (Chris) Phifer, Vicki (Eric) Ott and Heather Doyle; his grandchildren, Anthony (Stephanie), Nick, Taylor, Joseph, Nicole, Adam, Olivia, Alexa & Darren; his great-grandchildren, Carter & Luca; his sisters, Joyce (Jim) Cummings, Cora Oosterhof and many nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by his wife, Sydnee Paul, his parents, Carrie and Casper Paul, his birth parents, Dorothy Paul & Mark McGarvey and his brother, Robert Paul.

John will be laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery with Military Honors.