Paul Raaz

Paul John Raaz was born June 7, 1916, in El Campo and died Dec. 26, 2008.

He is the son of Frank Raaz, a native of Hallettsville and blacksmith by trade; and Mary Paperstek Raaz, an immigrant from Czechoslovakia who did domestic work in Yorktown. Paul married Lillie Gold, his wife of 66 years, on March 29, 1942 at St. Didacus Church in San Diego, Calif. Paul was an only child, and has one son, Rev. Paul A. Raaz, who was ordained a Catholic priest June 6, 1970 and presently serves the Catholic community of Gonzales and Waelder.

He is survived by his wife and son.

After graduation from high school, Paul worked at Mack J. Webb Hardware Store in El Campo for several years before he joined the Army Air Corps, serving our country as a crash boat mechanic from Nov. 2, 1942 to January, 1946. After his military service, he worked as an auto mechanic in El Campo for many years; then taught auto mechanics at Flour Bluff ISD in Corpus Christi. He and Lillie moved to Shiner in 1975, where he opened a small engine repair shop until his retirement.

Paul was a member of Knights of Columbus Council 3081 and served as Grand Knight for several years. As Grand Knight, he began a Rosary Card Campaign that distributed thousands of rosary cards throughout Texas. Later he became a member of American Legion Post 201.

A rosary was held Sunday, Dec. 28 at 6 p.m. at St. James Catholic Church in Gonzales. Funeral services were held Monday, Dec. 29 at 11 a.m. at St. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Shiner with Rev. Paul A. Raaz officiating. There was a graveside service with military honors at 3 p.m. that day at Holy Cross Memorial Park in El Campo under the auspices of American Legion Post 251.

Paul brought a great sense of pride and dedication to his family life and his work, and lived a life of deep belief and integrity. It is easy to imagine his hearing these words of welcome at the end of his earthly journey: "Well done, my good and faithful servant... Come, share your Master's joy." (Mt. 25:21)