Obituaries
Paul Lewis Lail
( October 4, 1932 - December 15, 2015 )
Paul Lail, age 83, of Lincolnton, NC passed peacefully in his home Tuesday, December 15, 2015.
His funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 18, 2015, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church with Rev. Chad Walker officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9:30 until 10:45 a.m. prior to the service at the church.
Mr. Lail was a graduate of the Lincolnton High School Class of 1952. After graduation, he entered the Army branch of the United States military. His basic training was at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He was a member of the 808th Aviator Engineers and Communications. After five months, he was promoted to acting sergeant and was awarded soldier of the month and received a 2-week all-expense paid trip to Hong Kong, China.
After separating from active service, he was instrumental in organizing the U.S. Army Reserve in Hickory, NC and served as First Sergeant for several years. In 1955, he took military on-the-job training from R.K. Lail, his father, at Lail Electric Service and received his electrical license in 1956.
In 1987, Paul and his late brother, Russell, took over Lail Electric Service. Russell served as President and Paul served as Vice-President. During this time, Paul’s two sons and nephew became members of the Board of Directors. Paul semi-retired as Chairman of the Board.
He was a charter member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Lincolnton where he served on various boards and taught Sunday School for 28 years.
Paul also chaired the board that built the automotive training center at the Lincolnton School of Technology and raised over $6000.00 for construction of the building and equipment. He also served on the advisory board for the carpentry class at the School of Technology and served on a committee to acquire the building inspection program in Lincoln County. Paul also served on the investment committee for industrial spec building development in Lincoln County.
His hobbies included woodworking of which he built each of his children and grandchildren a piece of furniture. He also enjoyed restoring Tonka toys and fishing along the South Carolina coast.
In 1953, Paul married his high school sweetheart, Sue Smith. They went on to have three lovely children.
Paul was preceded in death by his mother, Curlee Lail, and father R.K. Lail, his brother Russell A. Lail, and a grandson Joshua Lail.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Sue Smith Lail; two sons, Paul Steven and wife Donna, and Monte Lewis and wife Lisa; a daughter, Lisa Sue Blackburn and husband John; six grandchildren, Christopher Lail, Katie Lail and fiancé Will Earman, Gabe Lail and Brittany Dellinger, Caleb Lail and Jaci Gross, Allie Blackburn, and Will Blackburn; and one great-grandchild, Sophia Rae Lail.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Lincoln County, 900 Dontia Drive, Lincolnton, NC 28092, or to Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 2639 E. Highway 150, Lincolnton, NC 28092.
His funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 18, 2015, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church with Rev. Chad Walker officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9:30 until 10:45 a.m. prior to the service at the church.
Mr. Lail was a graduate of the Lincolnton High School Class of 1952. After graduation, he entered the Army branch of the United States military. His basic training was at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He was a member of the 808th Aviator Engineers and Communications. After five months, he was promoted to acting sergeant and was awarded soldier of the month and received a 2-week all-expense paid trip to Hong Kong, China.
After separating from active service, he was instrumental in organizing the U.S. Army Reserve in Hickory, NC and served as First Sergeant for several years. In 1955, he took military on-the-job training from R.K. Lail, his father, at Lail Electric Service and received his electrical license in 1956.
In 1987, Paul and his late brother, Russell, took over Lail Electric Service. Russell served as President and Paul served as Vice-President. During this time, Paul’s two sons and nephew became members of the Board of Directors. Paul semi-retired as Chairman of the Board.
He was a charter member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Lincolnton where he served on various boards and taught Sunday School for 28 years.
Paul also chaired the board that built the automotive training center at the Lincolnton School of Technology and raised over $6000.00 for construction of the building and equipment. He also served on the advisory board for the carpentry class at the School of Technology and served on a committee to acquire the building inspection program in Lincoln County. Paul also served on the investment committee for industrial spec building development in Lincoln County.
His hobbies included woodworking of which he built each of his children and grandchildren a piece of furniture. He also enjoyed restoring Tonka toys and fishing along the South Carolina coast.
In 1953, Paul married his high school sweetheart, Sue Smith. They went on to have three lovely children.
Paul was preceded in death by his mother, Curlee Lail, and father R.K. Lail, his brother Russell A. Lail, and a grandson Joshua Lail.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Sue Smith Lail; two sons, Paul Steven and wife Donna, and Monte Lewis and wife Lisa; a daughter, Lisa Sue Blackburn and husband John; six grandchildren, Christopher Lail, Katie Lail and fiancé Will Earman, Gabe Lail and Brittany Dellinger, Caleb Lail and Jaci Gross, Allie Blackburn, and Will Blackburn; and one great-grandchild, Sophia Rae Lail.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Lincoln County, 900 Dontia Drive, Lincolnton, NC 28092, or to Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 2639 E. Highway 150, Lincolnton, NC 28092.
Posted on 15 Dec 2015
Current Information
Contact
125 Dave Warlick Drive
Lincolnton, NC 28092
704/735-2521