Paul Showalter

Paul Kenneth Showalter passed away on February 10, 2015 at North Pointe Skilled Nursing Care, Paola, Kansas. He was born June 26, 1933, the son of Lee Roy Showalter and Minnie (Hammel) Showalter and was raised in Carroll County, Missouri, graduating in 1951 from Stet High School. He participated in sports and musical activities in high school. After graduation he went to Kansas City to work but returned to help his Mother on the farm following the sudden death of his father. He attended Missouri Valley College in Marshall before joining the Navy on March 22, 1953. After boot camp at Great Lakes, Illinois he attended electronic school in Memphis, Tennessee. He was later stationed in China Lake, California before a tour in the Philippines and North Island, San Diego. Upon discharge he attended the University of Missouri at Columbia. He worked in Norborne, MO and later at Ford Motor Company in Claycomo. He reenlisted in the Navy in 1961. He was stationed at Olathe Naval Base in Kansas where he recruited and trained Naval Reservists. He served during the Korea and Viet Nam campaigns, retiring in 1978 with the rank of Senior Chief. He was stationed in Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Tennessee, and Virginia. He flew many training missions, making several trips to deliver supplies to troops in Viet Nam. Although he proudly spent over 23 years in the Navy and flew a great many miles, his sea duty consisted of only 10 days aboard the John F. Kennedy Aircraft Carrier.
After his Navy retirement, he worked for the U. S. Post Office in Lawrence, Kansas, retiring in 2000. He then spent time attending KU basketball games in Lawrence and made a great number of road trips. He organized trips for KU games and tournaments. He enjoyed the games but even more the companionship of other fans and players they met along the way.
He married Peggy Joyce Monroe on May 23, 1954 and they celebrated over 60 years of married life. They were the proud parents of three children, Paula, David and Deirdre. He was a great family man, always eager to help family and friends. He had many talents and whether it was cars, carpentry, electricity, plumbing, gardening or homework, he was always willing to help. He enjoyed working with his children’s Scout troops and was active in church activities in the various places he lived.
He suffered a severe heart attack in 2010, necessitating a more sedate life. He moved to Paola in 2011 to be nearer to children and his doctors.
He was proceeded in death by his parents, brothers Roy Julian and wife, Alice, Emerson and wife Aileen. He is survived by his wife, Peggy, of their home; daughter and husband, Paula Kay and Stephen Gish of Tonganoxie; son David Showalter; and daughter and husband, Deirdre (DeeDee) and Stephen Mars of Paola, his seven beloved grandsons, Morgan Showalter and wife Alyson of Olathe; Michael Showalter of Springfield, Missouri; Cooper Gish and Carter Gish of Tonganoxie, Kansas; Garrett Paul Mars, Skyler Kenneth Mars, and Quintin David Mars and his one and only granddaughter, Camille Alexandra Mars of Paola. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law Marion Gentry and Dan Monroe and several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Showalter’s family met with friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, February 12, 2015 at the Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home, Baldwin City. Funeral services were held 11:00 a.m. Friday February 13, 2015 at Ives Chapel in Baldwin City. Interment was at Oakwood Cemetery in Baldwin City.
In lieu of flowers we ask that Memorial contributions be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund c/o Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home, P.O. Box 14, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Condolences may be sent to the family through www.lamb-roberts.com
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