Paul Converse, 78, passed away Saturday morning in Crowell.  A funeral service is planned for 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 24, 2022 at the First Christian Church with Pastor Tracy Duvall officiating. Interment will follow at Quanah Memorial Park. Visitation will be held from 6-7 p.m., Tuesday evening, at Smith Funeral Home.

Paul Baker Converse was born May 28, 1944 in Weatherford, Texas to the late Clayton "C.P." Converse and Margie Baker Converse. He married Niki Stewart on July 3, 1966, in Quanah, and together they raised two children. Paul was a lifetime elder and member of the First Christian Church. He served in the Texas Army National Guard; was a 50 year member of the Masonic Lodge; and a 30 year member of the Order of Eastern Star. He was a Volunteer Fireman for 36 years and served part of that time as Fire Chief. In 1989 he was awarded the distinction of "Man of the Year", by Quanah Chamber of Commerce, for saving two small children in a house fire. Paul's first job was with Akers Body Shop but he went on to own and operate a Texaco Station. He worked 33 years at Georgia Pacific, as an electrician, in the maintenance department; and later worked for QISD as a bus mechanic.

Paul is survived by his wife, Niki Converse, of Quanah; 1 son, Charles Converse and wife Beth, of Comfort, Texas; 1 daughter, Paula Wilson of Quanah; 1 brother, Tim Converse of Lone Pine, California; and 1 sister, Kathy Slaughter of Grand Junction, Colorado; 3 grandchildren, Justin Wilson, and wife Ashley, Makayla Wilson and fiancée Anthony Walker, and Dayton Converse; 8 great grandchildren, Dylan Wilson, Emma Wilson, Rylan Wilson, Natan Wilson, Ansley Wilson, Lily Walker, Wyatt Walker, and Barrett Walker; as well as several nieces and nephews.

The family requests that memorials in Paul's honor be made to the First Christian Church, P.O. Box 356, Quanah, Texas 798252; Quanah Volunteer Fire Department, P. O. Box 186, Quanah, Texas 79252; or Quanah Pound Pups, 2766 FM 2364, Quanah, Texas 79252.