John W. Paul, Jr.

October 4, 1922 - May 30, 2023

ESCONDIDO, CA — John W. Paul, Jr. was born in Canton, Illinois to John W. Paul, Sr. and Sadie Paul. He had 10 siblings who have predeceased him. He celebrated his 100th Birthday in October, 2022, with over 60 family and friends.

John served in World War II from 1940-1945 as a P38 fighter pilot with the 339th Fighter Squadron in the South Pacific. After his discharge in 1945, he was in the Air Force Reserves for an additional 15 years retiring with the rank of Major.

In 1944 he married Ellen Davis and was stationed in Washington State and Chico, California, as a Flight Instructor. After his discharge, he took advantage of the GI Bill and earned a degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Illinois. John worked for North American Rockwell for 30 years and retired as a Senior Flight Test Engineer.

He and Ellen raised four children in Manhattan Beach, CA. Ellen preceded John in death in 2018. He is survived by his four children: John Paul III, Linda Gardner, Raymond Paul, and Gary Paul and their families including nine grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Services for John Paul Jr. will be held on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at Alhiser-comer Mortuary, 225 S. Broadway, Escondido, CA 92025. Viewing will start at 10:30 am; funeral service at 11:00 am with refreshments afterward. Committal service with military honors will follow at Miramar National Cemetery at 2:15 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you make a donation to your favorite charity.

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