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Paul E. Huddleston

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LAUREL — Paul E. Huddleston, 91, Laurel, died March 26, 2022, at Hillcrest Care Center, Laurel.

A celebration of life service will be held for both Paul and his wife, Joan Huddleston, April 8, at 10:30 a.m., at the United Methodist Church , Laurel, with the Rev. Patrick Broz officiating.

Burial of their cremated remains will be at the Laurel cemetery at a later date.

Visitation will be April 7, at church 6-8 p.m., and will continue Friday morning, one hour prior to services. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Laurel.

Paul Eugene Huddleston was born in Laurel Oct. 22, 1930, to Everett Chester and Hazel Leila (Reigle) Huddleston. He attended K-12 at Laurel Public Schools, Laurel, graduating in 1948. Paul served in the United States Air Force as an Air 1st class Sergeant. He was stationed at Randolph Air Force Base (RAFB), San Antonio, Texas, from 1951- 1955, and served as a Chaplain.

Paul married the love of his life, Marcia Joan Marquardt, Aug. 17, 1952. They moved to Cibilo, Texas, until he completed his Air Force service to his country. Paul and Joan moved back to Laurel in 1956. He worked with his father in Huddleston’s Shoe and Harness Shop. He started working for Gene Sohler at the Laurel Sale Barn as a hog buyer. He did this for many years. He worked at Waldbaum’s in Wakefield and then became a custodian at the Laurel Concord Public Schools in 1989, retiring from there in 2003.

Paul liked horses and had many of them through the years. When the kids were young, he’d stop doing whatever he was doing and run them to the farm, to catch their horses. He enjoyed all sports, but he loved watching his children and grandchildren compete. In his younger years, he liked to fish and hunt. Going to farm ponds, the rivers and streams near us were often evening adventures for the family. Paul was often found ‘clowning around’ at parades. He was always up to the challenge of dressing up, handing out candy to kids and using his ventriloquist dolls to joke around, have fun and be silly.

Paul is often remembered for always having Werther candies in his pocket. He was known for handing them out to teachers and students. Whenever he saw a student being kind or helpful, he would offer them candy. He enjoyed talking to the children and watching their sporting events. He loved to compete and play games. Yard darts, badminton, carom, card games and dominoes were what he mostly played with his kids and grandkids. However, Joan and he enjoyed meeting friends and going to the track (dog and horse) and the casino for a game of slots. Paul was a kind and loving husband, father and grandfather. He

Paul was a kind and loving husband, father and grandfather. He lovingly helped care for Joan for many years. Paul and Joan would have been married 70 years in August 2022. Their life had many trials along the way, but it was definitely a love story to behold. Joan died March 17th and he joined her in heaven nine days later.

Paul is survived by two children, Thomas Victor (Lori) Huddleston, Morris, Okla.; daughter Mary Jo “Jodie” (Steve) Thompson, Laurel; five grandchildren, Amber (Tyler) Specht, Kyle (Mandi) Thompson, Alli Thompson, LCDR Robert (Heather) Huddleston, Collin (Hillary) Huddleston; 11 great-grandchildren, Zach Huddleston, Aiden and Lilly Huddleston, and Henry Huddleston; Ryleigh, Nora and Evie Specht; Kayden, Nolan, Calli and Kenzi Thompson; a brother-in-law, Dr. Victor C. (Kathy) Marquardt, Wilsonville, Ore.; as well as nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Harry (Charlotte) Huddleston; sister, Sharon (Gerald) Grimm; son, Paul William “Billy;” grandson, Brian Joshua Huddleston; and great-granddaughter, Joslynn Jo Specht.