Obituary: Paul Duwayne Moffat

by Michelle Moffett

Paul Duwayne Moffat, age 85, passed away quietly at his daughter’s home in Lafayette, Indiana on Dec. 4, 2018 after losing the battle with MAC Lung Disease.

He was born in Bay City, Mich., son of Duwayne and Margaret Moffat (Beeman). Paul was married to Verla Osborne on Dec. 22, 1953. They have five surviving children, Perry, Tab, Tony, Paul Samuel and Michelle. There are 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. His last surviving sibling is Mary Gauss (Moffat) of Stockbridge, Mich.

Paul, a United States Army Veteran, served honorably during the Korean Conflict from 1953 to 1955. He was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky as a tanker and paratrooper with the Airborne Division.

   He worked in Chelsea, Mich. for Chelsea Products and later, Dana Corporation. Most of his life, Paul owned and operated M&M Gravel Company before retiring to Lecanto Florida with his beautiful Verla. They were inseparable like “cream and sugar,” and he was greatly saddened when she passed in January 2016.

Our dad loved to share his many life stories. One story particularly close to his heart was when he played Stockbridge High School Baseball. There was one game that his father was able to break away to watch him play in 1950. Paul was an incredible catcher for the team. He was known as “Billie.” After making an almost impossible catch, the team won, and he was carried off the field by his teammates as MVP of the game.

   Paul was an avid outdoorsman. Some of his favorite hunting companions were his redbone hounds. His ultimate outdoor experiences were his twenty or more expeditions into Canada. The trips were remote, rugged and made by boat. The final destination to camp was on various islands to fish and avoid marauding bears. He shared his outdoor knowledge with many family and friends who were always welcome to go along.

He was loved and lauded as the best guy anyone could know. He was the best father, husband grandfather, uncle and friend anyone could have had. His positive enthusiasm was contagious and we will all miss him very much.

A memorial service is planned for spring of this year for both Paul and Verla. Their final resting place will be at the Williamsville Road Cemetery, in Gregory, Mich.