Paul N. Stevenson

***SERVICES HAVE BEEN RESCHEDULED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER*** Funeral Services are rescheduled for 2:00 p.m. Friday December 11th with visitation one hour prior to services beginning at 1:00 p.m. Wamego- Paul N. Stevenson, 90, formerly of St. George, passed away Friday evening December 4, 2009 at Wamego City Hospital. He had been a resident of Wamego for 3 years. Prior to moving to Wamego he lived in rural St. George for 44 years. Paul was born April 7, 1919 in Nodaway County, Missouri to James A. and Stella (Payne) Stevenson. He was the middle son of 7 boys. After graduating from Tarkio, Missouri High School in 1937 he attended Tarkio College for two years. From there he received his first teaching certificate. Paul then taught at two rural one room schoolhouses for the next three years. The third year he taught in the same school he and his six brothers had attended in the 20’s-30’s. Paul was united in marriage to Christena Miller on August 17, 1941 at her parent’s home near Burlington Junction, Missouri. To this union, four children were born, Larry, Martha, Ron and Debra. Paul and five brothers served in the military during WWII. He served with the U.S. Army Air Force. Paul received a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1943. He served two years in Italy in aircraft maintenance. Upon discharge Paul joined the Air Force Reserve program. He was recalled to active duty October 1, 1961 for one year during the Berlin Wall Crisis and was the Civil Engineering Squadron Commander. Paul served 32 years in active duty and reserve status and retired as a Colonel. Returning home after his four years of active duty during WWII, he continued his education and teaching for the next 42 years retiring from K-State University in 1984. Once a teacher always a teacher. Even after retirement in his own quiet way he continued to teach many. In 1948 Paul received his Bachelor’s Degree from Missouri University in Columbia. He then taught vocational agriculture at Hopkins, Missouri High School for 4 years, and 3 years at Eagleville, Missouri. After completing his Masters Degree in Agriculture Education at Iowa State University in 1957, Paul joined the faculty at Kansas State University as a member of the Agriculture Engineering Department. He taught classes in Agricultural Mechanization until he retired in 1984. During his tenure at K-State Paul was a member of Phi Kappa Phi and was instrumental in establishing the Collegiate FFA. He was an honorary member of the Collegiate and K-State FFA as well as receiving the Honorary American Farmer Degree. He was also a member of the American Vocational Association and the Kansas Vocational Agricultural Teacher Association. He was also a member at St. George United Methodist Church. Paul served his community in many ways. He was a St. George School Board Member for 10 years. He was also a member of the Blackjack American Legion for 40+ years. Paul enjoyed music and could play a song from anything that made sound. As a young man in northwest Missouri he and a brother entered many amateur contests usually winning the $10-20 first prize. Paul and Tena enjoyed square dancing. He taught square dancing to many young 4-H club members as well as FFA members at their annual Barn Warmers. Paul is survived by: his wife Christena (of 68 years) of the home; his children, Larry Stevenson of Wamego, KS, Martha Williams of Wamego, KS, Ron Stevenson of Manhattan, KS and Debra Ledet and her husband Len of South Lake, TX; his nine grandchildren; his two great grandchildren; his brother Robert Stevenson of Elmo, MO; and his many nieces and nephews-all who thought Uncle Paul was extra special for all the fun they had with him and all that he taught them. Paul was preceded in death by 5 of his brothers, Wilbur, Byron, John, Dean and Edwin. Funeral Services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday December 11th at Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego with the family greeting friends at a visitation one hour prior beginning at 1:00 p.m. Memorials have been established in Paul’s name for Kansas Future Farmers of America or St. George United Methodist Church and contributions may be left in care of the funeral home P.O. Box 48, Wamego 66547.