Paul E. Sowell, 83, passed away peacefully, bringing to a close a long and meaningful life shaped by faith, service, and a quiet, steady resilience. Born into a large and loving family of thirteen siblings, he grew up held by the values that would guide him all his days: devotion to God, loyalty to family, and a steadfast spirit in the face of hardship. From that big, lively household came not only his roots, but a vast, far reaching family, so many loved ones across so many branches that counting them hardly seems possible, each one carrying his memory forward with affection and pride.
A proud veteran of the Vietnam War, Dad served his country with honor. His years in uniform left him with a deep sense of discipline, gratitude, and perspective, qualities that became the compass by which he lived and the foundation of the wisdom he offered to others.
Dad’s journey through family life began with his first wife, Ida Diane, mother to three of his children, with whom he shared seventeen years of marriage and the early chapters of the family he held so dear. Her passing in 2008 closed her own chapter, but her presence remains deeply felt through the children they raised together. Later, he found renewed love and companionship with his wife, Sandy, mother to Darin and Brenda, with whom he shared over forty years of marriage marked by faith, tenderness, and steadfast devotion. Her passing late last year was a profound sorrow, and he carried her memory gently, woven into the quiet rhythms of his days.
He is survived by his children:
• Dianna, life partner to Jeremy Grant
• Paul Jr., married to Lorell
• Harry Marshall, married to Christine
• Brenda, married to Steve Howell
• Darin, married to Serena Wright
He is also survived by his grandchildren, Curtis, Ashley, Cameron, Travis, Haley, Colton, and Kaylee, and by his great‑granddaughter, Brayleigh, each one a continuation of the love and legacy he leaves behind.
Those who knew him will remember his unwavering faith, his independence, and the way he lived life on his own terms, quietly, firmly, and with a heart anchored in what mattered most. His legacy endures in the many lives he touched, in the values he carried forward from his own large family, and in the memories held by all who knew and loved him.
