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© Enid News and Eagle Enid, Oklahoma May 2, 2012 May 2, 1948 ~ November 17, 2011 Paul was born May 2, 1948, in Santa Anna, Calif., to Ivan and Della [Reeves] East. Paul passed away November 17, 2011, in Temple, Texas. He was given full military rites. Burial followed in Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, Killeen, Texas. Paul was drafted at age 19 in Oceanside, Calif., into the Army. Upon completion of basic and advanced individual training of crew engineer on a Chinook helicopter, Paul reported to the 179th Aviation Company, Plei Ku, Vietnam, in September 1968. Paul was subsequently assigned to the 154th Aviation Company in Fort Sill, Okla. Paul was given the opportunity of his life. Paul was chosen to crew with the USA Executive Flight Detachment, Fort Belvior, Va. During this time, he worked under President Nixon and President Ford. Two tours with CO. D 343th Support Battalion, Fort Hood, Texas. Germany 295 Aviation Company 1st Attack Helicopter Battalion. Second tour Germany, Paul then helped form Task Force Viper, 3rd Armour Division, Germany. Being selected for Command Sergeant Major to attend the Sergeant Major Academy in Fort Bliss, Texas. Upon graduation of the Academy and completion of the 1st CSM Designee Course, CSM East was assigned to 1st Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, Fort Riley, Kansas. CSM East had the distinct honor of leading 1st Battalion into combat during the defense of Saudi Arabia and liberation of Kuwait, known as Desert Storm. During his tour of duty with 1st Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, CSM East participated in the Army's best training available, single station training with the Apache Helicopter Training Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas. Retired after 27 years, CSM East's military decorations include the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritoriors Service Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters, 13 Award Air Medals with Valor, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters, Master Aircraft Crewman Badge. Paul married Barbara Strecker, of Enid, on September 19, 1981, at the Strecker's home. They had two sons, Jonathan and Christopher. They have two grandchildren, Zachery and Catlin, and daughter-in-law, Christine East of Killeen, Texas. After Paul's retirement from the Army, he worked at Fort Hood on Chinooks. He had to retire due to illness from cancer. Paul was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara; son, Jonathan; sister, Dorothy Jones of California; nephews, William Osborn of California and Caven Franke of Covington, Okla.; brothers-in-law, Billy Waldrop and Lonie Isbell of Waukomis. Paul married Katherine Martinez in Johnson City, Texas, on June 1, 2010. To this marriage Paul gained Katherine's children and grandchildren, Connie, Stephanie and Freddie, and grandchildren, Megan, Isaac and Ethan. Paul's best friend, Tino Martinez, became his brother-in-law. There were 10 brothers and sisters born into the Martinez family with five surviving, giving Paul a large, loving family. Paul is survived by his wife, Katherine of Round Mountain, Texas; son, Christopher and wife Malita of Temple, Texas; sisters, Roberta Goodrich and Bill of Burny, Texas, and Peggy Isbell of Enid; grandchildren, Zachary, Catlin, Megan, Ethan, Isaac; bonus children, Connie, Stephanie, Freddie; many nieces and nephews; brother-in-law, David Strecker [Denise] of Houston, Texas; sister-in-law, Carolyn [Jerry] Flynn of Enid. Before Paul passed away, he told family that God came to him, telling him it was time for him to come home, giving comfort to family and friends. But we all love and miss Paul so much. Submitted by Family |
© Enid News and Eagle Enid, Oklahoma November 2006 September 5, 1953 ~ November 29, 2006 "All people are good, but better are none, than all the seniors of '71!" Gone but never forgotten. EHS Class of 1971 The funeral service for Barbara Strecker East, 53 year-old former Enid resident, will be 10 am today, December 2, 2006, in the Henninger-Allen Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Terry Chick will officiate. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. She was born September 6, 1953, in Moorland, OK, to Jesse F. Strecker and Myrtle [Bouse] Strecker and died November 29, 2006, at University Health System, San Antonio, Texas. She attended local schools and graduated from Enid High School in 1971. After graduation she worked as a nurse's aide at St Mary's Hospital. On September 19, 1981, she married Paul East. After marriage, she was a supportive military wife and mother. The couple lived in Temple, TX, where she kept the home. She attended Bible Baptist Church earlier in life. She is survived by her husband Paul and son Christopher, of the home; two grandchildren, Zachary and Caitlin of Killeen, TX; a sister, Carolyn Flynn and husband Jerry of Enid and brother, David Strecker and wife DeNyce of Conroe, TX; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her son Jonathan East, her parents and a sister, Pamela Sue. |
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