Paul Eugene Totman

Paul Eugene Totman was born March 15, 1923, in Acadia, Kansas, to David Henry and Emma Lewis Cox. In his youth, Paul was known by his family as Gene. His immediate family consisted of an older brother Beryl, five younger sisters; Mary, Evelyn, Eva, Virginia, Louella and youngest brother, Allen. He was raised in Missouri and attended school there. His family moved often throughout the states. Paul joined the United States Army Signal Corps, March 29, 1943, and served as a Communications Lineman for telegraph lines and then telephone. Besides his stateside service, Paul served in Europe and Japan. He was honorably discharged on February 28, 1946. Paul moved to Houston in 1948, and worked as a house painter and then as a commercial painter for around 35 years. Paul retired from painting in 1983. Paul met his wife Lila Neiman in Houston. They were married on May 29, 1969. They made their home in Houston until 1979, when they built their home on Bozeman Road, north of Pattison, Texas. Paul and Lila continued to work in Houston and spent their spare time helping Lila's parents, John and Ora Neiman, who also lived on Bozeman Road, with their cattle ranching and property. After Paul retired from painting, he became a full time cattle rancher, producing Beef Master Cattle, selling the last of his cattle in 2011. Paul enjoyed hunting and fishing and was fond of his fall and spring gardens. He and Lila always had a large garden which they would share the bounty of with family and friends. Paul was a proud and active member of the Pattison United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Men's Group and attended Sunday school classes. He served on the Board of Trustees for a number of years. Paul painted all of the doors and trim on the church and fellowship hall many times, and later oversaw the work being done by others. Paul enjoyed working for the church and helped with many projects, including the building of the garage, the acquisition and placement of the paper shed and the collection of the newspaper for recycling. He was a founding member of the Pattison Methodist Cemetery Committee, which was established in October, 1992, and served as chairman for a time. Paul spent many hours along with others, clearing brush and vines, so the cemetery could be maintained as you see it today. Paul enjoyed helping people. If anyone needed help he would go out of his way to do whatever he could. He liked to stay busy and active, and did so well into his upper 80's. Paul helped many with their personal gardens, and was always open to aid and give advice. Paul is survived by HIS WIFE OF 44 YEARS: Lila Neiman Totman; SISTERS: Eva Harsh, Virginia Ossman, Evelyn Carney, all of Arkansas and Louella Fuller of Oregon; SISTER-IN-LAW AND BROTHER-IN-LAW: Neva and Ed Campbell of Pattison, Texas; and numerous nieces, nephews and their children. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, David and Emma, stepmother, Rosella Hensley, his sister, Mary Hilyard, his two brothers, Beryl and Allen, and his son, David E. Totman. Pallbearers for the service are Truett Bell, Robert MacCallum, Stanley Kitzman, J.D. Yanchak, Scott Hartman, and Bob Odum. Honorary Pallbearers included: Jim Poulter, Oliver Kitzman, S.C. Bell, and John Williford.