Thomas Paul

Thomas Paul,61, passed away peacefully on June 17, 2021 at Hospice of the Valley in Chandler, Arizona. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, June 25, 2021 At St. Pius X Catholic Church in Urbandale. A visitation will be from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM on Thursday, June 24, 2021 at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory in Urbandale. Tom was thirdborn of triplets, born May 26, 1960 to Eugene and Barbara Paul of Urbandale, Iowa. Tom graduated from Valley High School in 1979. After graduation Tom held a variety of jobs. His passions included bowling, especially in the leagues he shared with his dad and his brother, John; bingo games at the church hall; music, which always filled the house. And of course, Tom always appreciated a pretty girl and a soda at McDonald’s! Tom came to live in Arizona in 2002 to be closer to his sister, Jean, who was living in Arizona at the time. In Arizona he made many new friends. He especially enjoyed his time at Tempe Adult Day Care and the holidays with his extended Leonard and Peterson families; but most importantly going home to visit his mom in Iowa. Tom overcame multiple obstacles and multiple surgeries over his 61 years but never lost his passion for living and hope for a better tomorrow. Most recently his goal was to learn how to walk with his prosthetic leg, which was his most recent success, finally standing on it in rehab earlier this month. Tom was preceded in death by his father, Eugene Paul in 1989. He is survived by his mother, Barbara Paul of Johnston, Iowa. Also left to cherish his memory are his sister Dr. Jean M. Paul of Urbandale, Iowa, and brother John E. Paul, of Johnston, Iowa. Several cousins also survive to tell and re-tell the Tales of Tom! It would be remiss not to mention the family he built in Mesa, Arizona, especially Tanya “Lynn” Weibley and Rick who always pushed him to be the best Tom he could be and never doubted his abilities in spite of his challenges. Tom’s family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the Intensive Care Unit at Chandler Regional Hospital who cared for him in his final days. Please in lieu of flowers make donations in his name to: Memorials can be made to The Eugene J. Paul Scholarship Fund at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, https://alumni.drake.edu/giveonline or to the Iowa Army of Pink, https://www.iowabreastdensity.com