Paul Arwin Smith

Paul Arwin Smith of Dubach, LA, passed away Jan. 1, 2020, at the age of 69, in Lake Charles, LA.

A Visitation was be held from 4 - 6 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020 at Kilpatrick Funeral Home in Rukston, LA under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home.

Paul was survived by his wife of 45 years, Mary Kathrine Spillers Smith; two sons, Paul Aaron Smith and wife, Suzanne of Indianapolis, IN and Grady Todd Smith of Dubach, LA; two daughters, Karen Elizabeth Aldridge and husband Billy of Oklahoma and Amy Kathryn Smith and fiancé Tim Pendergrass of Nederland, TX; five grandchildren, Whitney and Emma Smith, Dylan and Garrett Aldridge, and Michelle Pendergrass; two brothers, Eddie Smith of Baton Rouge, LA and Lester Smith of Lafayette, LA; two sisters, Marguerite Rowell of Baton Rouge, LA and Nancy Hequembourge and husband David of Harvest, AL; brothersin-law, Ralph Park and wife Sybil of White Settlement, TX; Lee Spillers of Choudrant, LA; Bill Spillers and wife Kay of Surprise, AZ; Bruce Spillers and wife Sheila of Ruston, LA; Mack Looney of Alexandria, LA; Jack Snow of Choudrant, LA; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Melvin Perry Smith; mother, Ella Belle Smith; two brothers, Mickey and Perry Smith; three sisters-inlaw, Kathleen Smith, Melba Snow, and Clara Looney.

Paul graduated from Leesville High School, completed three years at Louisiana Tech University and graduated from Ruston Vocation Technical School as a welder. After working for Safeway Grocers for seventeen years, his next job led him to Groton, CT where he worked for General Dynamics, Electric Boat as a pipefitter in the construction of nuclear submarines. After five years, layoffs brought him back to Louisiana where he secured a position as maintenance coordinator for Willamette/Weyerhaeuser, a forestry products manufacturer in Arcadia, LA. After 15 years, layoffs again led him to Roseburg Forestry Products where he worked until he reached retirement age. He spent his last three years working on his creative side. Paul and his wife developed a small business creating whimsical garden art from found objects that left you with a smile on your face.

In lieu of flowers, friends and family are asked to make donations to American Heart Association, St Jude Children’s Hospital, or American Diabetes Association.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.