Clair Nelson Paul

Clair Paul beloved husband of Bonnie Paul of Preeceville passed away on Wednesday, January 1, 2020 at the Preeceville and District Health Centre. He was seventy four years of age.

     Clair Nelson Paul was born April 2nd, 1945 to Ed & Esther (nee Homstol) Paul at Preeceville Union Hospital. He was named after his Aunt Clara (Paul) Germaine and his Grandpa Nels Homstol.  Clair was the middle child in a family of five, including older brothers Vern and Dean and younger sisters Jo-Ann and Lois.

     Clair spent his entire life in Preeceville and as a young man was involved in many activities including hockey, curling, ball, golf, volleyball, cadets, square-dancing and delivered newspapers. Clair’s true passion was pharmacy and he began working in his father’s store on weekends and after school. He followed his father’s footsteps and graduated from the U of S College of Pharmacy in 1968 and moved home to work alongside his Dad and Dean.

     Clair married Bonnie Gail Lebo on May 16, 1970. They had 3 children- Cory Clair, Trent Raymond and Shannon Dawn. Between the store and volunteering with numerous organizations in and around the community, these three took up the remainder of Clair’s time.

     Clair continued playing sports and coaching for several years. He gave back to his community by serving as president of the Lions Club (he was president the year the new Preeceville Skating Arena opened), President of the Curling Club and Chamber of Commerce. Vice president of the Preeceville Lions Housing Corporation, Volunteered with the Fire Department and in the 1990s Clair started hobby farming, a project that he and his sons enjoyed together. 

     In 1965 Clair and Dean became partners with their parents in the business, which became a Ltd. Company. In September ’82 Clair and Dean bought out their parent’s share of the business. In January 2000 Clair bought out Dean’s share and became sole owner. In June 2019 he celebrated the 81st anniversary of the store being in the Paul family. Clair could always be found either counting pills or playing in the dirt.

Clair left us peacefully Wednesday January 1st 2020 with his family and friends by his side. He was pre-deceased by his parents, Ed and Esther; brothers, Vern and Dean; sister, Jo-Ann; son, Trent; mother and father in law, Ray and Polly Lebo; brother in law, Ken; sister in law Kay; nephews, Wade and Scott; niece, Dana.

     He leaves to mourn his wife, Bonnie; son, Cory (Candace); daughter, Shannon (Jesse); grandkids, Dreyton, Dawson, Dixon, Danielle, Hudsyn, Camryn, Trenley, Aybree, Aksel, step grandson, Riley; sister, Lois (Franklin); brother in law, Dennis; sisters in law, Phyllis and Mae; his Godmother, aunt Lorna Homstal; as well as numerous nieces, nephews relatives and friends.

     Clair was a great friend to many, was loved by all and will be missed till we meet again.

     A visitation for family and friends was held on Sunday, January 5, 2020 from the Chapel of Preeceville Funeral Home. Funeral Services were held on Monday, January 6, 2020 from St. John Lutheran Church in Preeceville with Pastor Hein Bertram officiating. Clair’s children Cory and Shannon gave a tribute and words of remembrance. Pianist, Barb Melsness led the congregation in the singing of the hymns ‘Amazing Grace’, ‘The Old Rugged Cross’, ‘I Know that My Redeemer Lives’, ‘Just As I Am’ and ‘Precious Lord Take My Hand‘. Interment followed in the family plot in the Preeceville Community Cemetery with Cory Paul, Dreyton Paul, Dawson Paul, Dixon Paul, Jesse Nelson and Hudsyn Nelson serving as the casketbearers. Condolences can be sent to the family at preecevillefuneralhome.com   Memorial Donations in memory of Clair may be made to the Preeceville Hospital Auxillary as gifts of remembrance.

     Arrangements were entrusted to Preeceville Funeral Home.