Paul R. Dickens

Memorial services for Paul R. Dickens, 93, Lawrence, will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Warren-McElwain Mortuary. He donated his body to Kansas University Medical Center for research.
Mr. Dickens died Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2010, at The Windsor of Lawrence.
He was born July 19, 1917, in Hill City, the son of Charles and Pearl Rutherford Dickens.
During World War II, Mr. Dickens served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserve from March 1942 to January 1946.
He graduated from Kansas State University in 1940 and received a master’s degree in educational administration from Emporia State University in 1958. While at Kansas State, he played on the varsity baseball team and was a member of Phi Epsilon Kappa fraternity.
Mr. Dickens was a retired principal for the Lawrence school district. He first served as principal at Kaw Valley School from 1965 to 1968 and later as principal at Cordley School from 1968 to 1983, when he retired. Prior to moving to Lawrence, he was a principal, teacher and coach in Cottonwood Falls, Little River and Newton.
He enjoyed high school and college sports and social events for senior citizens. He was an active participant in the Lawrence Senior Center’s activities, including ballroom dancing. He was a member of Central United Methodist Church in Lawrence and the Lawrence Area Catbackers.
In 1998, he was presented a K-State letter jacket from the local Catbackers organization. He was a lifetime member of the National Education Association and a longtime member of the National Principals Association.
He married Geraldine “Gerri” Spohn on Feb. 20, 1944, in Conway. She preceded him in death March 1, 1993.
Survivors include two daughters, Mary Kay Dickens, Boca Raton, Fla., and Paula Sue Davies, Gardner; and a son, David C., Los Angeles.
The family suggests memorials to the Lawrence Schools Foundation, designated for special needs children, or Central United Methodist Church, sent in care of the mortuary, 120 W. 13th St., Lawrence, KS 66044.
Online condolences may be sent at warrenmcelwain.com.