Gus Elwin Paris, 94, a former longtime resident of Owensboro, passed away Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019, in Frisco. He was the son of Augustus and Dulcie Smock Paris and was born Sept. 23, 1924, in Rosiclare, Illinois, where he spent his childhood and early years.
In 1941, with the onset of World War II, he volunteered to join the United States Marine Corp. Gus was part of the 5th Amphibious Armored Tank Battalion which served in several campaigns in the South Pacific including Saipan, Tinian, and the first wave of the invasion of Iwo Jima. His battalion was awarded many citations both during WWII and post-war. Gus also received the Purple Heart on two occasions and other military honors. At the conclusion of WWII, he was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant and went on to attend college at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale where he received his bachelor’s degree in history and political science. From there he received his master’s degree from the University of Kentucky, followed by post-graduate work at Tulane University and the University of Nebraska.
In 1950, with the move of Kentucky Wesleyan College from Winchester to Owensboro, Gus was an integral part of the transition and began his teaching career there in 1951. Over the years, in addition to teaching, Gus held a variety of different positions at KWC including dean of students, director of admissions, assistant to the president, and registrar and director of financial aid. In 1975 he received an honorary doctorate degree from KWC. He retired in 1992 after more than 42 years of service to the college. At his retirement, KWC bestowed upon him the honor of the Gus E. Paris Distinguished Service Award, which is awarded annually to college faculty, staff, or any non-alum for outstanding contributions to the college.
Among his many attributes, Gus was known for his storytelling, his tremendous sense of humor, and was also an accomplished writer and speaker. Throughout the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s, he was a regular commentator on local radio and television stations during city, county and state elections where he contributed to election polling and prediction results. He was involved in numerous charities and organizations throughout Owensboro such as Civitan and Goodfellows. Gus was a 50-year plus member of The Investigators Club, where he wrote many original papers and was still president emeritus at the time of his passing. Likewise, he was a member/teacher of the Men’s Bible class at First Presbyterian Church since the 1960s. In his post-retirement years, he remained an avid fan of Kentucky Wesleyan sports, spending time with his children and grandchildren, and attending weekly meetings with the local “table of knowledge.”
Gus is survived by his wife of more than 67 years, Elizabeth Saucerman Paris. They were married on Aug. 25, 1952, and together they have four children, Carol Bridge of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Jane (Rod) Cable of DeSoto, Missouri, John (Delynn) Paris of Frisco and Mary Simmons of Wilmington, North Carolina. Along with his four children, Gus also is survived by 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, Justin Bridge, Jonathan Bridge, Lindsey (Alex) Brinkman, Layne and Riley, Alex (Greg) Radosh, Kennedy, Shelby Cable, Hayley (Jake) Basham, Adelynn, Blake (Claire) Paris, Logan Paris, Tara Simmons; Matthew (Hannah) Simmons, USMC; and Wesley Simmons; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by three siblings, a sister and two brothers. Gus’ love for God, his family, his country and his students are what made Gus Paris the wonderful husband, father, mentor, leader and teacher that he was. He was truly one of a kind and a hero to many. He will be sorely missed by those who loved him but will continue on in the legacy he has left behind.
A memorial service to celebrate the life of Gus Paris will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at Kentucky Wesleyan College Tapscott Chapel. Prior to the memorial service, visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the Gus E. Paris Scholarship Fund at Kentucky Wesleyan College.