Paul A. Lehmann

Lt. Colonel Paul A. Lehmann (Ret.), age 88, of West, passed away Thursday afternoon, December 17, 2009 at his residence. Funeral services will be held 3:00 p.m. Sunday at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Gerald, with Rev. Frances Sidenblad officiating. Burial will follow at Gerald Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Mr. Lehmann was born January 3, 1921 in West, the son of Paul and Marie "Mamie" (Blankenstein) Lehmann. He graduated from West High School in 1938 and from Hill Junior College in 1940. He then enlisted in the United States Army Air Corp. He served overseas for more than three years during World War II in North Africa and Italy. During this time he was Crew Chief for the 4th Squadron of the 52nd Fighter Group, maintaining Spitfire and P51 fighter plans. Upon his return he was united in marriage to Ruth Marie Damm on September 7, 1947 in Gerald. He worked at Connally Air Force Base until it closed in 1965. Paul was then transferred to Mather Air Force Base near Sacramento, California and retired there as a Lt. Colonel in 1976 after more than 30 years of service both in the U.S. Air Force and civil service. They then returned to the family farm near West where he has lived out a full and happy life. He will be dearly missed, loved and remembered forever. Paul is preceded in death by his parents and six sisters, Marie Drews Brady, Hattie Leuschner, Gertrude Drews, Bertha Vahrenkamp Dawson, Clara Wedeking, and Minnie Spurgeon. Survivors include his beloved wife of sixty-two years, Ruth Lehmann of West; four sons, Paul B. Lehmann and wife Rebecca, Robert Lehmann and wife Karyn, and Steve Lehmann and wife Diana, all of Sacramento, California, and Clyde Lehmann and wife Nicole of San Antonio; a daughter, Frances Cudrnak of Sacramento, California; 11 grandchildren; 1 great grandson; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Active pallbearers are Paul's four sons, Paul B. Lehmann, Robert Lehmann, Steve Lehmann, and Clyde Lehmann. Honorary pallbearers are all of Paul's nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul's United Church of Christ Memorial Fund, 117 Gerald Lane, Elm Mott, TX 76640.