Donald Dean "Don" Paul, age 81, of LaVista, Nebraska, formerly of Red Oak, Iowa, passed away at Homestead Assisted Living in LaVista. Don was born Febraury 22, 1942, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the son of Donald Theodore and Thelma Alice (Gorman) Paul. Donald's father died during WWII when Don was 16 months old. He was raised by his step-father, Robert Whorton and his mother in Waterloo, Iowa. He attended the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School in Vinton, Iowa graduating in 1960. He worked for two years in Waterloo, Iowa and attended Upper Iowa University at Fayetteville receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. He spent many years in education teaching at Cumberland Massena, Nashua, UNI, Clearfield, Camanche, all in Iowa, then Ogallala, Nebraska, before Red Oak Community School District in Red Oak, Iowa from 1978 until retiring in 2002, but continued to substitute teach. Don was united in marriage to Sue Cox on July 10, 1976 in Nashua, Iowa. Two children were born to this union: Kara and Kristin. Don's greatest joy came from his family He loved to spend time with his daughters and grandchildren, having back yard barbecues, and especially enjoyed their sporting events. He was very witty and had a great sense of humor. Don was a longtime member of the Red Oak Elks Lodge and enjoyed going to the casinos.

Preceding him in death were his parents; step-father: Robert Whorton; sisters: Mary Anne Whorton and Margaret "Peggy" Whorton; granddaughter: Mikyla; and son-in-law: Neville Pillay. Survivors include his daughters: Kara Pillay of Papillion, NE and Kristin Paul (Nick Guhde) of Papillion, NE; grandchildren: Lilly, Jaya, and Brendan Pillay and Sophia and N.J. Guhde; siblings: Roger Whorton and wife Fran of Spearfish, SD; Rebecca Richardson and husband Tom of Richmond, VA; Robert Whorton of Bellevue, NE; and Julie Spaight and husband Rob of Bettendorf, IA; sister-in-law: Beth Barnhill of Des Moines, IA; and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at Noon on Monday, March 20, 2023, at the Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel in Red Oak, Iowa. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be held from 10 AM until Noon prior to the funeral on Monday March 20, 2023 at the funeral home.

Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel of Red Oak, Iowa is in charge of arrangements.