Paul Mclaren

Paul Cameron McLaren, 71, of Lewis, Iowa, passed away Monday, February 23, 2015, at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, NE.

He was born in Atlantic, Iowa, July 8, 1943, the son of Donald and Rosemary (Casey) McLaren. Paul attended schools in the Cass County, Iowa, area and graduated from Atlantic High School. He lived his whole life in Cass County other than his time in the service. Paul enlisted in the United States Air Force December 13, 1961, and was honorably discharged June 15, 1965, then returned home to Atlantic.

Paul was united in marriage to Marilyn Rhoads on February 16, 1968. They have four children, Mike, Molly, Kathy and Paula. He and Marilyn made their home in Lewis, Iowa, where he was a member of the Lewis Volunteer Fire Department and the Lewis Community Boosters. Paul was employed by Henningsen Construction in Atlantic for just over 43 years before retiring.

Paul was a very loving father and grandfather. He was the "smartest man" his family knew, always teaching and helping kids learn and making it fun. Being a father meant the world to Paul, yet being "grandpa" was truly of great magnitude. He was great at Jeopardy, loved reading science fiction novels and National Geographic, and getting into political discussions on Sunday morning for tea and crumpets with his brothers were a regular occurrence. He had a great love of nature and was an avid bird watcher and had a great interest in astronomy and star gazing. He was also a fan of NHRA drag racing since the 1960s. He was a very well respected man by everyone who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Rosemary McLaren and his sister-in-law, Sharon Campbell.

Paul is survived by his wife, Marilyn McLaren of Lewis, IA; his children, Mike (Billie) McLaren of Atlantic, IA, Molly (Justin) Thompson of Lewis, IA, Kathy (Nick) Reinhart of Boone, IA, and Paula McLaren of Lewis, IA; his grandchildren, Tim Taylor, James, River and Ireland McLaren, Cameron, David and Christian Thompson, and R. J., and Milo Reinhart; his brothers and sister, Daniel (Arlene) McLaren of Atlantic, IA, Suzie Simon of Florida, Dick (Diann) McLaren of Atlantic, IA, and Chuck (Mary) McLaren of Atlantic, IA; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Public viewing will be available on Thursday, February 26, 2015, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, IA.

Visitation with family will be from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by a luncheon and time for fellowship from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m., on Friday, February 27, 2015, at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa.

Private graveside services will be held at a later time.