Richard P. Paul' Dawson was born in Ford, Kansas on November 9, 1923. One of the few remaining airmen of the Mighty Eighth' Paul took his final flight in his B-24 and landed at the Heavenly airport on June 30, 2013. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clifton Clyde and Frankie Nondus Dawson; by his brothers, Clyde Dawson and Vernon Dawson; and two of his four sisters, Pearl Rush and Dorothy Close. He is survived by his sisters, Berneice Lemmons and Eileen Rollins. Paul was married to Velda Geneva Maness in Madison, Wisconsin and they were married sixty-one years before Velda's passing in January 2006. Paul is also survived by their daughter, Deborah Ann Dawson Jeldy and her husband, Frank E. Jeldy; their son and daughter-in law, Rick and Krissa Jeldy; and two great grandchildren, Charlotte Dawson Jeldy and Isaac Frank Jeldy. In 2007,after Velda's passing, Paul met and married Juanita Macrory who also passed to Heaven earlier this year. Juanita's family became Paul's family and he is survived by Juanita's son, Bryan Macrory and his partner, Michael; daughter, Claudia Rousselle and her husband Bob; as well as Bryan and Claudia's extended family. Paul loved his country. He counted it a privilege and an honor to have been a member of the Eighth Air Force, flying thirty missions in B-17s and B-24s from Sudbury, England across the English Channel into Europe during World War II. Paul flew on D-Day, June 6, 1944, and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross. Paul was employed as a budget analyst for the Federal Aviation Administration but his true calling in life was being a faithful son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandpa, friend and churchman. Paul loved his church. His brother, Clyde, was a Nazarene minister and, for several years, Paul was his song leader. Paul and Velda were members of Lakeview Park Nazarene Church. He was the song leader in the early days of Lakeview Park beginning with Dr. Bill Draper and was a faithful board member for many years thereafter. Paul and Velda joined Bethany First Church of the Nazarene in 2005. Paul was always known as "the Pastor's friend." In the days following Juanita's passing, he longed to fly to heaven. The Lord answered his prayer and Paul is eternally happy! Thanks beyond words from his daughter, Debbie, go to Kumar Madan, Paul's care-giver and friend, and to the Mercy Health Center Palliative Care Group. Visitation with the family present will be Wednesday, July 10, 6:00-8:00PM at Mercer-Adams Funeral Service, 3925 N. Asbury, Bethany, OK. Services will be Thursday, July 11, 10:00AM at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene with interment in Resurrection Memorial Cemetery. Family Visitation Wednesday, July 10, 2013 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM Mercer-Adams Funeral Service 3925 N. Asbury Bethany, OK 73008 Funeral Service Thursday, July 11, 2013 10:00 AM Bethany First Church of the Nazarene 6789 N.W. 39th Expressway Bethany, OK 73008