Known for his gentleness, sense of humor, and his godly wisdom, Paul was a big teddy bear. I am blessed beyond words for knowing him and for the opportunities I've had to serve with him. He was a rock; a voice of reason in difficult and potentially divisive situations. Because of his quiet and unassuming wisdom there was great confidence in the words he chose to share. He was the person we leaned forward to listen to when he finally spoke. In a group who would rather have Bob's Rules, Paul understood Robert's Rules and we smiled to ourselves to hear his confident, calm voice noting "point of order".
Before I knew Paul very well, I was intimidated by him. A tall, large man, his sense of humor was dry, his gaze steady, and person anything but animated. I mentioned this to a good friend of mine and his response was that Paul would be so sad to know this. It didn't take me long to come to know the teddy bear that he was.
There was a Sunday morning when, knowing I was working through a very difficult situation, Paul came to sit with me just before we were ushered up for communion and said he'd like to commune with me. To further show his support and care, he held my hand. I cried. Paul was loved and respected by so very many, including me.
When I woke up this morning Paul was already at the finish line, his body complete and whole, and I know rejoicing and praising the God whom he loves and worships. My brother in Christ... together the rest of us left will mourn deeply.
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