Paul Guard Jr.

Paul H. Guard Jr., 77, of Wappapello, Mo., died Wednesday, July 28, 2010, at Saint Francis Medical Center.

He was born Aug. 16, 1932, in Poplar Bluff, Mo., to Paul Howard and Lena Myrant Guard. He and Billie Chappell were married June 12, 1952 in Cape Girardeau.

Paul was a graduate of College High. He received a bachelor of science degree in math and physics from Southeast Missouri State University in 1962, where he also completed work toward a master's degree.

He was a teacher at Kelly High School from 1962 to 1965, Scott City High School 1965 to 1996, and Eagle Ridge Christian School 1996 to 2004. While at Scott City High School he was head of the math department many years and started the computer program.

For Paul, teaching was a passion, not just a career. More than 25 former students went on to receive engineering degrees. Both Scott City High School and Eagle Ridge Christian School annually award college scholarships in his name.

In addition to teaching, he worked as a stonemason, having worked in this field since age 15.

Paul loved to fish and go camping.

He served in the Air Force during the Korean conflict as an engineer gunner on B-26 airplanes.

He was a lifetime member of First Church of the Nazarene in Cape Girardeau, and a member of Missouri State Teachers Association.

Survivors include his wife, Billie Guard of Wappapello; two sons, Paul H. (Shari) Guard III, Perry Crawford (Carol) Guard of Cape Girardeau; a daughter, Julie H. (Jeff) Briney of Lake Saint Louis, Mo.; a sister, Carolyn Spencer of Perryville, Mo.; five grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren; three great-stepgrandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Robert Guard.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Revs. Mark Carbaugh and Jason Hill officiating. A committal service will be held at 9 a.m. Monday at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, with full military rites by Missouri Honors Team.

Memorial contributions may be given to American Lung Association, 1118 Hampton Ave., St. Louis, MO 63139.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.