Paul D. Blount

Paul Danford Blount, age 79, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 14, 2021, at home surrounded by his family after a long battle with Parkinson’s and Myasthenia Gravis.

Born in Minneapolis, MN on January 28, 1941, he was the son of the late Theron and Augusta (Dehnel) Blount. Paul spent most of his childhood in Portage, WI, growing up on the family farm with his four siblings. Paul’s life was a miracle from early on as he survived childhood Polio. It made him a very strong person. Paul was a graduate of Portage High School and received his bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin Platteville. He used to tell stories about working in the vegetable canning factory during the summers and his ability to out-perform his peers at chin ups.

On June 15, 1968, Paul was united in marriage to Patricia (Batty) Blount, most recently celebrating 52 years of marriage. Paul and Patricia grew up attending Portage Assembly of God church together and their families were close friends. Paul was a fun-loving character, and his charisma attracted Patricia to him. They built a custom home designed by brother-in-law Dennis Batty on a 30-acre hobby farm near Indianola, IA and started their family there.

Paul was employed as the Administrator of Christian Life School, a ministry of Journey Church, Kenosha, WI, for 22 years. His passion and vision for the school’s growth and impact as well as the well-being of its staff and students drove his daily agenda. Prior to 1985, he was the Principal at Brookdale Christian School in Brooklyn Center, MN for 3 years and employed as an Agriculture Teacher for Southeast Warren School in Liberty Center, IA for 18 years. There are many staff and students from each role he held who have declared his significant and powerful positive influence on their lives. He was the past President and Licensed Administrator for the Association of Christian Teachers and Schools, past board member and Treasurer for Pray-Tell Ministries, from whom he was licensed to preach. He was a member of Journey Church, formerly First Assembly of God, and a member of the Future Farmers of America (FFA). His servant leadership was exemplary. He was beloved by many.

Prior to his retirement in 2007, Paul and his wife settled in Paddock Lake in Salem, WI. His life-long love of being on the lake was fulfilled where he enjoyed boating, fishing, water skiing, and tubing (or watching the kids and grandkids do as much while he drove the boat!). He was a skier in his younger days and spent many afternoons on the lake with his family. He enjoyed deer hunting up north, camping in exciting and unusual places across the country—from the Smokey Mountains to the Grand Canyon, from Branson to New England—and even a once-in-a-lifetime cruise to Alaska. All of this fun was amplified because he was spending quality time with his extended family. Paul was a gifted trumpet player and shared his love of music with his church and his family—his children each playing instruments and now two of his granddaughters play his trumpets. Paul was a passionate football fan who enjoyed watching the Green Bay Packers for many years, even attending a few games at Lambeau with his kids.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Blount; his children, Paul Troy (Nicole) Blount of Lake Geneva, WI, Laurie Marie (James) Hyllberg of Kenosha, WI, and Christina Joyce (Andrew) Gould of Lake Geneva, WI; his grandchildren, Parker “PJ” Blount, Faith Marie Hyllberg, Tyson James Hyllberg, Marcus Loren Hyllberg, Joelle Talori Gould and Gracie Blue Gould; his siblings; Thomas Blount, Beverly Batty and Theron James Blount; his brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

In addition to his parents, Paul was preceded in death by his sister, Karen Schultz.

The family would like to say a special thank you to Touching Hearts at Home and Heartland Hospice for their care and support.