Kenneth Dale Bennett Paul

LUBBOCK – Kenneth Dale Bennett Paul, 86, passed away on January 27, 2022, in Lubbock Texas. He was freed of his earthly trials to be united with his Lord and Savior.Dale Paul was born in Morrilton Arkansas to Virgil Forrest Paul and Zethra Laura (McAnally) Paul on April the 4th, 1935. Dale spent most of his formative years in Ada, Oklahoma. He spent one year at Bethany Peniel College where he met and then married JoAnne Petty on August the 13th, 1955 in Clovis, New Mexico.Dale and JoAnne spent their early years of marriage in New Mexico and Oklahoma.  Between working and starting a family, Dale went back to college. After completing his education, he taught elementary school, soon became a principal, an assistant Superintendent of Schools and eventually Superintendent at various locations. Dale was a great educator, and his life and leadership positively influenced many students as well as teachers. He was also an entrepreneur who owned a few small businesses, including a photography studio and photo lab. He loved photography and continued taking photos even in retirement.  He was never without an idea for a new business!Dale loved to travel and included friends and family in his travels. He and JoAnne loved to travel with their RV, taking their grandchildren on adventures around the countryside. Those days of pulling the RV were memorable times for them as they visited their children and traveled with groups of friends. He was always the source of fun wherever he was, creating joy and laughter and always making new friends. He loved God and he loved people. He will be missed by so many families and friends but is now in the arms of God.Dale was preceded in death by his father Virgil F. Paul and his mother, Zethra L. (McAnally) Paul. Dale had one brother, Charles L. Paul, who also preceded him in death.He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, JoAnne Paul.  His wife will miss him greatly but is grateful that they will reunite in heaven someday. Dale is also survived by his son, Kenneth Dave Paul of Clovis New Mexico, by his daughter, Karen D’Anne (Paul) Means (David D. Means) of Tulsa Oklahoma, and by his daughter, Donna Gail (Paul) Riter (Steven L. Riter) of Defiance Ohio.Grandchildren are as follows, Samuel Chase Means, Victoria Lynne (Means) Tramonte, (Steven A. Tramonte), Christopher Seth Means, (Whitney Swick Means), Allison Rose Means, Peyten Davita Means, Jeffrey Paul Riter (Christa Larue Riter), Hannah Joyce (Riter) Hickin, (Christopher J. Hickin). His great-grandchild is Olivia Heather Means.Daddy, Granddaddy, Uncle, and Friend, we all love you!  We will miss you, but we will see you when we get there!Memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 26, 2022, at First Church of the Nazarene, Lubbock Texas. A dinner and visitation will follow in the church fellowship hall. ALL the Memorial Service attendees are invited to share in the dinner and celebration. Dale loved family and friends and never missed an opportunity to enjoy visiting and fellowshipping.  While we do mourn his loss, we will honor his memory in this way and celebrate a life well-lived!