Graveside service for John “Paul” Gaines will be 10 a.m. Saturday June 27, 2020, at Greenwood Cemetery, Veterans section, in Weatherford/
Paul, retired Weatherford Police Chief, went home to be with the Lord May 10, 2020, at the age of 85 years old. He was at home and surrounded by family.
Paul was born at Mountain Top, Arkansas. He was delivered by his grandmother who was the midwife for the area. He attended a one-room school — grades 1-6 and was taught by his aunt.
He attended and graduated from Ozark High School. After graduation he began farming with his family. When a hail storm devastated their crops, he journeyed to Leadville, Colorado, and joined his cousin working in the molybdenum mines.
Paul received his draft notice and joined the army December 1, 1956, where he served 8 years. He received two Good Conduct medals, an Army Commendation Medal, and an Expert Infantry Badge.
He served a year in Korea during Korean Conflict, 3 years in Germany, and was on a ship on route to Vietnam when that war ended. He was stationed at Fort Myer, Virginia, and was assigned to Arlington National Cemetery when President Kennedy was assassinated.
He guarded President Kennedy’s grave overseeing visits from Jackie and children, and numerous other dignitaries and left the service in November 1958 as a Sergeant E5.
He was a police officer and Justice of the Peace in the Minco area and was employed at the Weatherford Police Department, Custer County Sheriff’s office, and returned to the WPD where he was Chief for 20 years. He retired in 1999.
In 2000 he started his own business as a process server and retired from it in 2016 at the age of 82. Paul loved fishing and woodworking of any kind. He was skilled in many other areas and enjoyed being with his family.
Paul married Doris Anne Gray August 13, 1977, at Thomas, and made their home in Weatherford. Survivors include: his wife Doris; his daughter,
Survivors include: his wife Doris; his daughter, Sharon Rhoads, of Yukon, her husband, David, and children, Corey Rhoads, wife Jennifer’ and children Analeise, Gavin and Evelynn Rhoads; daughter, Hallie and son, Seth Rhoads; two sons, John Gaines Jr., of Phoenix, and children, John Paul “Trey” Gaines III and wife, Vanessa, and Tyler Gaines and Shanna Baldwin, Jessica Celelli, husband, Ren, and daughter, Airibelle, and son, Gregory Gaines, wife, Ashley; and daughters Gabrielle “Gabbi” Gaines and Kinley Gaines.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents and nine siblings.