Paul Lewis Mead

Paul L Mead, age 87 of Fort Smith, AR went to be with his Lord and Savior on September 22, 2023.

He was born on November 29, 1935 in Walkerville, Michigan to his parents Henry Aaron Mead and Hazel Irene Milner Mead.

After his high school graduation on June 1st, 1955, Paul volunteered for Navy and left for the U.S. Naval training Center in Great Lakes Illinois, Company 330. He boarded his 1st ship, the USS Hampden from April 1956 to December 1957. From 1966 to 1969 he was aboard the Destroyer USS Walker and traveled to the Philippines, Japan, South Vietnam, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand. The Aircraft Carrier USS Midway was one of his ship assignments in 1973. His naval adventures also took him to Hawaii and Alaska. His early Naval experience began with mess duty and he eventually worked his way up to a radioman in communications. His most memorable naval station was the three years he spent in Alaska where he was an outdoorsman and spent his leisure time hunting, fishing and camping.

He retired from the navy after 20 years as a Chief Petty Officer of Communications at the rank and grade of E7.

He met his first love Cora Altus Matthews (Cindi) during his naval service and they married in San Diego California. She was by his side as he entered his civil career that took him to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho where he worked as a warehouseman and attended North Idaho Jr. College and achieved an Associate Degree in Forestry Technology on April 22, 1977. Upon his college graduation he enjoyed a five year career with the US Forestry Service in Idaho until he moved to Social Hill, Arkansas where he settled in to carpentry, goat farming and gardening.

It was at the Antioch Baptist Church at Social Hill that he committed his life to Jesus Christ at the age of 45. He realized the goodness of God and that bad happens because of the decisions of man.

He finished his working career at Stihl Inco at Malvern Arkansas where he worked five years and received a service award. while living in south Arkansas he met his everlasting love at the Third Baptist Church of Malvern where they were active members. He and Marie married on July 1, 1995 and the two of them enjoyed traveling and socializing with family and friends, Marie’s five daughters and their families. Paul became know as “Papa Paul” and was embraced with love and acceptance with “kids and grandkids” whom he shared his adventurous stories of Michigan and the outdoors. It was common to find him holding or entertaining a grandchild in his lap, on the bank of a fishing pond or hunting in the woods. They were known to enjoy camping and travel to state parks and exploring the north central USA and a trip to Hawaii.

The last years of his life were spent in Midland Arkansas closer to the girls. He enjoyed sharing time with his family and socializing in his community. He was a member of 1st Baptist Church, Midland Arkansas and attended activities at the local Senior Centers of both Hartford Arkansas and Mansfield, Arkansas. He enjoyed playing bingo and pool. He more recently moved to Morada Senior Living where he was warmly welcomed and made friends easily as well as continued his bingo and pool.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Rose Mead Dore of Cedar Spring, Michigan, a younger sister, Verna Joan Mead Lavender of Seattle, Washington, a younger brother, Fred Atwater of White Cloud Michigan, his first wife and first love, Cindi, of Social Hill, AR and his second wife, the love of his life, Letha Marie Pearson Mead, of Malvern, AR.

He is survived by his older brother, James Henry Mead of Cedar Springs Michigan, a sister-in-law, Linda Atwater and two nephews, Jeffery James Atwater and Chris Atwater, of White Cloud Michigan. Two brothers in law, James Pearson of Reyburn Creek, Arkansas and Ernie Pearson of Malvern, Arkansas, daughters Shirley Hancox (Wayne) of Midland Arkansas, Linda Wilkins (Dan) of Cave Springs, Arkansas, Sarah Jent (Brad) of Bismarck Arkansas, Crystal Marschewski of Siloam Springs, Arkansas and Heather Clift of Springdale Arkansas.

He became Papa Paul to the grandkids: Michael Hancox, Chris Hancox, Rachel Wilkins Markley, Mitchell Wilkins, Nathan Jent, Jessica Kuhn and Ostie Hobbs. He is also survived by 8 great grandchildren. The family bond has kept us all together and he has been grateful to have a family that has cared for him and stood by him. We will be forever grateful to you, Papa Paul for the love and care you gave to our Mother, your dear Marie and we will so miss you.

In a final Salute, services for Paul L. Mead will be held in Malvern, Arkansas at Atkinson Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday September 30, 2023 at 11:00 a.m., under the direction of Pastor Tom Strike of Third Baptist Church of Malvern. Visitation with family and friends will be at Atkinson Funeral home on Friday September 29, 2023 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Burial will be in Price Cemetery Malvern Arkansas beside his wife Marie per his desire. Pall Bearers: Michael Hancox, Chris Hancox, Kenneth Markley, Mitchell Wilkins, Brandon Kuhn, and Ostie Hobbs.

Special recognitions of dear friends go to his high school best friend, Raymond Wawsczyk of White Cloud, Michigan; naval friends, Gerald and Pearl Comeaux of New Iberia, California; friend, Eleanor Fanning of Prospect Heights, Illinois; his church and Sunday School friends of Third Baptist Church Malvern, Arkansas and First Baptist Church, Midland Arkansas; Friends of the Senior Centers of Malvern Arkansas, Hartford, Arkansas and Mansfield, Arkansas. Friend, Elaine Sledge of Hartford, Arkansas and his more recent friends at the Morada Senior Retirement Community, in Fort Smith, AR. Funeral arrangements entrusted with Atkinson Funeral Home of Malvern, online condolences can be made at www.atkinsonfuneralhome.net