Paul R. Page, a dedicated family man and accomplished individual, passed away on January 23, 2024, at the age of 85. Born in Ogdensburg, NY on October 3, 1938, Paul was the beloved son of Laura and Reverend Walter Page.
Paul was a loving husband and soulmate to his adoring wife, Sandra, and together they built a beautiful life filled with love and cherished memories. Their union was blessed with three wonderful sons, Paul, Mark and Chris, who brought immense joy to their lives. Mark preceded his father in death in 2002. Paul took great pride in being a devoted father and involved himself in every aspect of his sons’ lives. From coaching their sports teams to sharing countless outdoor adventures, Paul made sure to create lasting memories with his family.
One of Paul’s greatest passions was the outdoors. He enjoyed camping, canoeing, boating, fishing, ice fishing, and hunting. His love for these activities was infectious, and he passed on his skills and knowledge to his sons, Paul, Mark and Chris. Additionally, Paul possessed an extraordinary talent for woodworking and mechanics. With his meticulous attention to detail, he became an extreme perfectionist in these crafts and instilled these valuable traits in his children.
Throughout the holiday season, Paul and his wife, Sandra, would represent Santa Claus at Toney and Madison churches. Their dedication to spreading joy and cheer touched the hearts of many during this special time of year.
Paul was known for his loving, compassionate nature and his unwavering strength. He had a heart filled with love for his family and friends, and his absence will be deeply felt by all who knew him. His legacy will live on through the memories shared and the impact he made on the lives of others.
In terms of his career, Paul started his journey in the Air Force as an airframe mechanic to the B-47 Bomber at Homestead Air Force Base in Florida. It was there that he met his beloved wife, Sandra M. Richmond, and the two were married in 1957. They welcomed their first son, Paul, in 1960, and Paul’s career led them to Minot, North Dakota, where their second son, Mark, was born in 1964. After a transfer to Warner Robbins AFB, Paul became involved in working with the Qual Missile carried under the wing of the B-52. It was during their time here that their youngest son, Chris, was born in 1969. Paul’s career then took a turn, and he became a “Boom Operator” on the KC-135 in-air refueling. He served three tours in Vietnam and excelled in his role, becoming a “Master Operator” in evaluating young boom operators. Paul’s remarkable skills earned him a rating of 100% hook-up reliability in connecting and delivering fuel at altitude. In 1974, he proudly won the coveted “Fairchild Trophy” in the Strategic Air Command Bomb Competition. In his final years of military service, Paul played a crucial role in the development of the new KC-10 sit-up monitors for air refueling. After 23 years of dedicated service, he retired as a Senior Chief Master Sergeant.
Following his retirement, Paul moved to West Palm Beach, FL, and began working at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, troubleshooting engine failures in fighters. His expertise extended to developing single-crystal high-strength metals in vacuum furnaces for aerospace applications. In 1991, he transferred to United States Booster, Inc. in Huntsville, Alabama, where he worked closely with NASA on various projects related to the space program. Notably, he contributed to the development of the main shuttle engine alternate turbo fuel pumps and devised the blasting methods for removing coatings from the Thoikal Booster rocket cones attached to the shuttle. Paul retired in 2000, ready to embrace a life filled with enjoyment and relaxation on the Page Compound.
He will be dearly missed by his loving wife, Sandra, his sons, Paul and Chris, as well as his grandchildren, Chelsea Page, Cecil, Josey, and Torrey Page. He leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and passion for family and the outdoors. May his memory forever be a source of comfort and inspiration to all who knew him.
Hazel Green Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.
