Paul Dean Fairleigh, 91, of Springfield, Missouri passed away March 2, 2017 after a short illness.  Paul was born on April 22, 1925 to Carl and Ruah Fairleigh in Rosston, Oklahoma.  He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Patsy Ruth Fairleigh, son Mark Fairleigh, daughter Elizabeth Fairleigh-Rainwater, son-in-law Greg Rainwater, sister Darlene Fairleigh and many cherished nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Rosie, Iris, Fred, Carl Jr., Opal, Jean, and his eldest son Matthew Dean Fairleigh.

A veteran of World War II, he served in the United States Army Air Corps as a tail gunner.  After the war Paul earned an Associate of Arts degree from Modesto Jr. College.  During that time he married Patsy Ruth Parsons.  After school, Paul became a journeyman carpenter.  Later he and Pat moved to Springfield for Paul to continue his education.  He graduated from Southwest Missouri State College (Missouri State University) with double majors in Industrial Arts and Physical Education in 1960 where he was a charter member of Epsilon Pi Tau.

Paul was a teacher for 29 years in the Springfield school system.  He began his career coaching at Hickory Hills Middle School.  He taught industrial arts at Hillcrest and Glendale high schools.  He started the woodworking program at Willard J. Graff Vocational-Technical School and taught there until he retired.

Paul lived at home with his wife until this illness.  He was devoted to his family and a longtime member of Schweitzer United Methodist Church.

Visitation will be held at 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM, on Tuesday, March 7, 2017. A funeral service will be held at 11:30 AM, on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 all at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.