Paul Edward Gips was born in Yorktown in 1921 to Paul Frederick and Antonette Mollenhauer Gips. After graduating from Yorktown High School, he played football at Texas Lutheran College before moving to Southwestern on a football scholarship. After graduation, he was inducted into the naval air corps where he flew a PBY-5A Catalina on submarine patrol off the west coast.
After WWII he returned to Yorktown High School as coach and met and married Jewell Marie Sockwell in 1950. He then earned his master’s degree from the University of Colorado. In 1957 they adopted James Paul, and in 1958 Ann Marie.
Jewell passed away in 1986. Paul coached at Yorktown, Refugio, El Campo, and Clear Creek. He retired as athletic director of the Clear Creek school district. His coaching career spanned nearly 40 years.
Paul was an avid golfer from a golfing family. Many a day, the Gips boys would play golf from dawn to dusk.
In 1994, Paul married Lillian Durst Holmes and moved to Dallas.
Paul passed away on April 8, 2014 in Dallas. He is survived by his wife Lillian; his son James (Mary), grandchildren Jason and Joshua; daughter Ann (Brad), grandchild Jenna (Stephen); great-grandson, Baylin. He is also survived by sister-in-laws, Elvera Gips and Grace Gips of Cuero and their families.
He is predeceased by his parents and brothers Al, ray, Milton, and Clif Gips.
Burial was at the Forest park East Cemetery in Webster.
Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice or Carry the Load, 5216 McDade Drive, Austin, Texas 78735, for veterans care, (Carrytheload.org) or the American Cancer Society.
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