‘I am the resurrection and the life,’ says the Lord, ‘Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.’

-- John 11:25-26
NAB, Revised

 

 

Paul Edwin Dacus passed away peacefully in his sleep in his Escondido apartment the morning of July 2, 2021, at the age of 95.  He was born in Des Plaines, Illinois, on April 22, 1926, the only child of William Paul Dacus of Water Valley, Kentucky, and Dorothy Ann Wallace of Wayne County, Missouri.

Paul spent much of his childhood in Searcy, Arkansas, where many of his relatives live to this day.  He was known then as “Eddie,” a nickname for his middle name of Edwin.  During those years he developed a love for reading and constructing model airplanes.  As a student, he excelled in mathematics and recalled being “teacher’s pet” of Miss Forrest, one of his math instructors.  One of his first jobs was picking cotton, which he did not enjoy!  He did enjoy spending many happy boyhood days fishing with his father and grandfather, and playing checkers.  He was a master checker player and continued playing (and winning!) right up through the age of 95.

When Paul was 15, his mother died of Tuberculosis.  He and his father moved back to Illinois to live in a rented apartment on the top floor of a two-story house in Des Plaines.  He took notice of a very attractive brunette living with her family on the first floor below . . .

World War II entered the scene.  Paul left high school in March of 1944 during his junior year to enlist in the Navy.  He learned Morse Code and served as Signalman, using flags to send information from his ship.  He was sent to the Philippines and served until his honorable discharge in 1947.  After coming home, he returned to high school to complete his senior year and wasted no time marrying the attractive girl from the first floor, Ila Minnie Brossard.  They had three “baby boomer” children together – Sandi, Steve, and Jolene.

In 1948, he went to work for the Illinois Central Railroad, putting his math skills to work as an auditor.  In 1961 he moved his family to southern California and became a salesman for Berton Company.  He retired after 24 years and moved to San Jacinto, California.

Paul came from a background of strong Christian believers, and he had a solid faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.  He attended church regularly and shared his faith often.  For many years, he created weekly Bible lessons and, along with several Christian friends, organized Sunday services complete with music for seniors living in the Harbor Convalescent Center in Torrance, California.  He also had a conviction to keep his family connected and share his faith with them.  Every week, he sent copies of his latest Bible lesson to family members, along with cheerful notes updating them on his life.  For many years, until he was no longer physically able, he organized an annual “family reunion” picnic and swim party for his children, grandchildren, and relatives living in the area.  Happy times.

Paul Edwin Dacus will be missed by his family and friends.  He is survived by his three children:  Sandi Carlyon, Steve Dacus, and Jolene Denova; four grandchildren:  Amy Crivello, Dave Carlyon, Andrea Hendry, and Stephanie Davis; and six great-grandchildren:  Mary Crivello, Emily Crivello, Hannah Carlyon, Lucas Carlyon, Chlöe Hendry, and William Hendry.