Paul Kollauf

A celebration of the life of Paul Kollauf will be held Monday, June 25, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel in Lufkin. Paul's ashes will be released in several places in Texas, Wisconsin and Arkansas at times yet to be determined.

Paul was born May 25, 1944 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and was invited to the happy hunting grounds Tuesday, June 20, 2012 from his family residence. Paul was well prepared for this next journey with his knowledge and love of hunting, fishing, trapping and his intimate understanding of the depth and breadth of nature and the human spirit.

Paul graduated in 1961 from Nicolet High School in Milwaukee where he discovered, through their vast curriculum of technical classes, a true talent and love for designing and manufacturing. The year following graduation, Paul and his best friend, Kenny Wiedmeyer, traveled extensively across the Midwest, Northern Wisconsin and Canada, chasing not only critters, but experiences and a purpose in life. While ""refueling"" in Milwaukee, Paul met with his favorite high school teacher who ""guided"" him to enroll in Stout State University. A quick glance at a map revealed its proximity to prime fishing and hunting territory in central Wisconsin. Both Paul and Kenny enrolled that year and both graduated with honors four years later with degrees in Drafting and Design.

While attending Stout, Paul met Maureen ""Micki"" Citko and the two married soon after, spending 15 married years together. Paul also met his dearest life-long friend, Steve Nagy, during his years at Stout.

Paul's advisor at Stout nominated him for a fellowship at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. Paul was awarded the fellowship and attended graduate school at A&M, graduating with honors and earning his Master of Industrial Education degree in 1968. The next several years found Paul teaching at Murray State University in Kentucky and Milwaukee School of Engineering. During this time Paul was blessed with both a son, Jason Paul, and a daughter, Jorie Lyn.

Wanting to escape the long, cold winters in Wisconsin, Paul and his family searched for a place in a warmer climate to raise a family. Following trips to two new Junior Colleges, Cochise County J.C. in Arizona and Angelina J.C. in Lufkin, Texas, Paul realized Lufkin would be a great place to raise a family, hunt in the extensive National Forests, fish the local reservoirs and teach during the spaces in between.

Paul began employment with Angelina Junior College in August, 1972 and retired after 32 years of teaching in May, 2004. The friends he made at Angelina College include many faculty members and staff as well as students. Paul considered teaching drafting and design, mentoring students and ultimately helping them find employment one of his greatest life accomplishments. While teaching at Angelina College Paul met his long time companion, Gayle Farley, whose company he cherished and appreciated.

With the encouragement of his friend, Tom Gann, and to help supplement his state salary, Paul began drawing and designing house plans in the mid 1970's and continued ""helping families build homes"" until 2011. The many friendships he formed while working with clients in the design of their homes were innumerable and deeply valued.

Paul's life was centered around spending life in the outdoors. Duck hunting was his passion for several decades and his truck was never seen during the Fall or Winter without a canoe on top - awaiting its next launch. Paul built two duck boats from redwood and fiberglass and thoroughly enjoyed carving custom duck decoys he used in his pursuit of the unsuspecting quarry. In 1989, Paul acquired some land near Broaddus, Texas and with the help of his good friend and fellow woodsman, Chuck Philp, began construction on his ""Duck Shack"", a small cedar cabin located on a secluded spot next to Bannister Wildlife Management Area. Many of his fondest memories were to be had working on the cabin and using it as a ""base camp"" for many forays into the outdoors. Later in life, traditional archery, trout fishing, deer hunting and trapping were among Paul's outdoor endeavors. Paul was a life time member of the N.R.A. and Ducks Unlimited.

Never one to consider his education complete, Paul constantly read books about life, philosophy, psychology, firearms, ballistics, archery, home construction, hunting and fishing. He particularly loved reading about the African hunting adventures of Theodore Roosevelt, Peter Capstick and Robert Ruark and contemplated meeting these men and sharing a safari with them. Paul's family thinks of him stalking the savannas now, enjoying nature and life and perhaps a little back strap for the evening meal.

Survivors include Paul's son, Jason Paul Kollauf of Lufkin, his daughter, Jorie Lyn Kollauf of Tucson, Arizona, his sister Linda Koeper of Mason, Wisconsin, his companion, Gayle Farley of Lufkin, and Micki Johnson of Tucson, the mother of his two children. Paul is also survived by his ""grand dogs"" Boss Bluebonnet Spearman (""Blue"") of Lufkin, Roxie (""Moose"") and Leo (""the little guy"") both of Tucson.

Special friends to Paul were Steve Nagy, Kenny Wiedmeyer, Chuck Philp, Jim Twohig, Dennis Slomba, Sr. and Jr., Chris Mazur, Dave Strawn, Rusty Hartman, Bill Pate, Steve Howell and Suzie Walker.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Paul's memory may be made to Ducks Unlimited, One Waterfowl Way, Memphis, Tennessee 38120 or the American Cancer Society, 212 Gene Samford Drive, Lufkin, Texas 75904.

Family and friends are invited to gather at Carroway Funeral Home in Lufkin for a special service on Monday, June 25, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. Friends are encouraged to come prepared to share a special story or memory of Paul, a.k.a. ""the Duckmaster"".

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.