Gary Paul

Beloved husband of the late Connie Sue (Thompson) Paul; dear father and father-in-law of Alexis (Kyle) Melvin, Sasha (Ryan) Walchli and Andrew (Melissa) Paul; loving grandfather of Remi and Cooper Walchli, Vinny Melvin and Ellie Paul; dear son of the late Jerry and Phillip Paul; dear brother of Denise (David) Harper; dear brother-in-law of Georgia Ann Seibel and Kelley (Kent) Rushin; special friend of Anne Boyd and Frank Ikemeier; our dear uncle, great- uncle, cousin and friend.

Gary Paul was born on March 7, 1951, in St. Louis, Missouri, to the late Jerry and Phillip Paul. Gary grew up in Overland, Missouri.  He was the oldest of two, with his sister, Denise following behind him.

Gary and Connie had their first date on Memorial Day in 1967.  After their first date, they simply stayed together.  Their love for each other has extended over five decades. They were married at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Overland, Missouri, on February 23, 1974.

They were blessed with three wonderful children, Alexis, Sasha, and Andrew.  Gary proudly watched and encouraged them as they became great citizens, individuals, and parents.

Gary and Connie were content with each other, staying around St. Louis, and they enjoyed family events.  They attended all of their children's school activities such as baseball, softball, soccer, basketball, football, and lacrosse games.  They were proud that all of their children attended college and obtained degrees.

Gary attended All Souls Catholic School and went to St. Louis University High School, graduating in 1969. He studied music at Southern Illinois University–Edwardsville and Washington University, where he obtained his undergraduate degree in 1974. Family legend goes that he had some free time and decided to take the LSATs. He scored well, and he entered the law program at Washington University, the start of a very successful career as a lawyer.

While in high school and college, Gary worked with his father at his full-service gas station, Paul Brothers and he gave music lessons at local music stores.  But most of his time was spent as the leader of the Gary Paul Group. He and his bandmates, Gary Chasteen, Tom Huneke, and
Dave Desper played all around the St. Louis area, from the KC Hall to the Starlight Ballroom. His music defined the teen dance scene throughout the late 60s. Once, the band held a special event in Connie's grandparents' backyard, but the event was cut short because the neighbors were in an uproar at the volume.

Gary had a forty plus year career as an attorney, starting in 1980 at Brinker, Doyen & Kovacs. In 1997, he became a founding member and managing partner of Brinker & Doyen, LLP.  He held that position until officially "retiring" in 2023, but he never fully left the practice, staying on part-time to assist wherever needed.  Gary was recognized as Best Lawyers in America work in Appellate Practice and Insurance Law from 2013-2023. In 2017, he was also recognized as Best Lawyers in America Insurance "Lawyer of the Year" in St. Louis.  Working as an attorney was very fulfilling for him, and over the course of his career, he forged meaningful friendships that lasted throughout his life.

Over the last 16 years, Gary relished his role as "Papa." His grandchildren, Remi, Cooper, Vinny, and Ellie, meant the world to him, and he loved any chance he got to see them, from their games to school events to FaceTimes with Ellie.

He also deeply loved his dogs and grand dogs: Paz, Hershey, Snickers, Clarke, Arnold, Harriett, Lester, Marley, Floyd, Dudley, Beyonce, Tucker, Conrad, Dwight, and Gus.

Even later in life, Gary kept up with all things music. He has countless different guitars, from electric to classical. He patiently worked with each of his children to try (although in vain) to cultivate his musical talent. He read voraciously and knew so much esoteric trivia about bands, songs, the whereabouts of famous guitars, and upcoming concert dates…just in case. His favorite genre would be hard to peg, but he especially loved the Beatles, Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, and the Who, to name a few.

Gary was loved by so many people, and his loss is incalculable. He was always the quintessential source of information and stories for all of us, and his logic and laughter touched everyone who knew him. He will be missed so very much.

Visitation at the Ortmann Stipanovich Funeral Home, 12444 Olive Blvd., Creve Coeur, Sun., Feb. 16 from 2-6 p.m. Service Mon., Feb. 17, 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment Bellerive Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Gateway Vizsla Club c/o Anne Albin, 2445 Carter Road, Moscow Mills, MO 63362. Please reference "for rescue" with donation.