Paul E. Atteberry

Paul E. Atteberry was born January 20, 1920 in Arcola, Illinois. He was the son of Earl and Cecile Atteberry. Paul was raised and attended his early schooling in Arcola and then moved to Pineville, Louisiana where he attended high school.

Upon completion of his schooling, Paul enlisted into the service of his country in the United States Army in 1941. He served in the Pacific Theater during World War II, participating in three major invasions including the raising of the United States Flag on Iwo Jima. During his enlistment, Paul participated in the following battles and campaigns: Bismarck Archipelago, Southern Philippines, Western Pacific and Ryukyus. He received the following decorations and citations: Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign Medal with 4 bronze stars, Philippine Liberation Medal with 1 Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, Bronze Star, Victory Ribbon and three Overseas Service Bars. Upon his honorable discharge following the war, Paul reentered the military, enlisting in the United States Air Force. Where he served faithfully for the next twenty-two years. Tech Sergeant Atteberry's duty stations during his career included assignments at Vance Air Force Base, Enid, OK; Atomic Energy Commission, Los Alamos, NM; Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vega, NV; RAF Lakenheath near London, England; England Air Force Base, Alexandria, VA; and Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, TX. Paul served primarily as an electrician but also worked extensively in missile engineering, serving as a missile facilities specialist. .

Paul was married to Lorene Martin on November 24, 1949 at the First Christian Church in Cleveland, Oklahoma. The couple raised their five children, Paulette, Freda, Paul, Pam and Cindy in various places across the country during Paul's military career. Following his retirement, the couple returned to Cleveland where they have resided since 1965. Paul then accepted employment as a bus mechanic for the Cleveland Public Schools and later was employed by Jim Barlow at the Ford dealership. He then worked as a Oklahoma State Lake Patrolman on Keystone Lake for a couple of years. Paul then began working as a pipe fitter in power plants, fertilizer plants and nuclear power plants throughout the country. He was a member of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada, Local Union 344, retiring in 1982.

In 1986, Paul and Lorene purchased and began operating the Poor Boy CafÈ in Jennings. They continued to run the cafÈ for the next five years, until they both retired in November of 1991. Upon their retirement, the couple enjoyed traveling and fishing together until for health reasons had to remain closer to home.

Paul was a racing enthusiast and actually enjoyed racing stock cars in his younger days. Through the years, Paul also enjoyed horses and roping. He once roped in Mesa, Arizona with Ben Johnson and participated as a heeler in Senior Team Roping events with his partner, Bob Fisher. His favorite pastime, however, was fishing. Paul still holds the Keystone Lake record for largest crappie and enjoyed fishing at every opportunity. He was a member of the Western Heights Baptist Church. He was also a member of the Ancient Order of Free and Accepted Masons, Hebron Lodge No. 215.

Paul passed away on Wednesday, October 8, 2003 at the St. John Medical Center in Tulsa at the age of eighty-three years, eight months and eighteen days. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Irene and his mother-in-law, Alma Martin.

He is survived by his wife of nearly fifty-four years, Lorene of the home; five children, Paulette Weaver of Cushing, OK, Freda and Dale Gordon of Mannford, OK, Paul Lee Atteberry of Cleveland, OK, Pam Williams of Cleveland, OK, and Cindy and Jeff McCrakin of Mannford, Oklahoma; eleven grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren; brother, Harold Atteberry of Gatlin, TN; and his father-in-law, Loy Shorty Martin of Cleveland, Oklahoma.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, October 10, 2003 at the Chapel of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home with Rev. David Head officiating. Masonic burial rites will be conducted at the funeral home and military honors will be provided by the Veterans of Foreign War, District Rifle Team at the Woodland Cemetery in Cleveland.

'Visit an online obituary, guestbook and video tribute for Paul Atteberry at www.chapman-black.com.