George William Paul was born on November 24, 1920 in Annandale, MN to Simeon and Cora (Broadbent) Paul. George, or Bud, as he was fondly known as by many, grew up and went to school in Annandale, graduating from Annandale High School in 1938.
George found and early love for flight in 1927 while listening to reports of Lindberg flying solo across the Atlantic Ocean on the radio. He knew then he wanted to be a flyer. Following his graduation, George moved to St Paul where he worked for Grigg’s Cooper Company copying orders for salesmen of Home Brand Food Products. He was later employed by Northern Pump in Minneapolis, where he worked for 2 years building 5 inch anti-aircraft guns. George joined the Army Air Force in 1942 hoping to become a pilot, but due to vision problems, he went to radio school instead. While in the military, George was assigned to the crew of a B-25 as a Radio Operator, sending and receiving messages using code books. George was also a Radio Mechanic, and carried the duties of testing, repairing, and rebuilding airborne radio equipment. He was later assigned to the 2
nd
Air Force, working as an interviewer in an Officer’s Separation Center.
George met Grace Emily Hilla at the Minnesota State Basketball Tournament in 1937, and they were married in the Base Chapel at Langley Field, Virginia on February 8, 1944.
After he was separated from military service on February 6, 1946, George and Grace returned to Minnesota, taking up residence in Northfield, where George worked as a milk carrier. Wanting his own business, George moved and built a milk pasteurizing plant in Kenyon. Though he was separated from military service, George continued to serve his country with the US Air Force Continental Air Command, as a member of the Ground Observer Corps Aircraft Warning Service.
In February 1948, George and Grace welcomed the arrival of their newly born son, Greg.
George sold his business about 1952 and went to work as a salesman for Swanson Cookies. Shortly thereafter, George and Grace moved their family to Detroit Lakes, and in 1955 George moved on to the insurance business. George was a salesman for many companies, but his longest tenure was with American Life & Casualty of Fargo. He held the title of Regional Superintendant, and worked closely with a number of agents across the State.
George and Grace added to their family when they adopted two children, a boy John, and a girl Mary. In 1964 George’s oldest son Greg was a founding member of the band, The Unbelievable Uglies, and George agreed to be their booking agent and manager. He stayed with the band for 5 years. Constantly having the desire to be a flyer, in 1978 George took an interest in Hot Air Balloons while visiting his son Greg in Albequerque, New Mexico. Receiving his certification, George flew balloons for 12 years.
George’s lovely wife Grace lost her battle with Cancer and passed away in April 1986. George was also preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Ione Spencer Primeau.
George is survived by sons Greg (Patti) Paul, and John Paul, his daughter Mary (Steve) Ertzberger, his sister Phyllis Bartlett, his grandchildren Shane (Lori) Paul, Patrick Paul, Toxi Paul, and Staci Ertzberger, and great-granddaughters Priscilla Cihlar and Cadence Trueman.