Paul Ousley

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Paul Ousley, 78, of Morehead, teacher, coach, businessman, community leader and farmer, passed away Monday, March 4, 2013, at St. Claire Regional Medical Center, in Morehead.

Born May 22, 1934, at Risner, in Floyd County, he was the son of the late Dockie and Thelma Hale Ousley. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Burnis, Willie and Gomer Ousley.

Paul is survived by his wife of 55 years, Gail Crosthwaite Ousley; three daughters, Jana Goeke (Gerry), of Saint Louis, Mo.; Lisa Barrows, of Delray Beach, Fla.; and Beth Ousley, of Morehead; and four grandchildren, Matthew Goeke (Lara), Kristin Goeke Herman (Yoshua), Madison Barrows and Kyle Barrows.

Also surviving are two brothers, Ed Ousley (Peggy), of Prestonsburg, and Curtis Ousley (Brenda), of Tucson, Ariz.; four sisters, Jean Carr (Charlie), of Cincinnati, Ohio, Lilly DeTurk (Lewis), of Peru, Ind., Cassie Shepherd (Oakie), of Maytown, and Ruth Harmon (Gary) of Warsaw, Ind.; as well as nieces and nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Paul, a graduate of Prestonsburg High School, played in the 1954 Kentucky/Tennessee All-Star Football Game. He attended Morehead State University on a football scholarship and graduated in 1958. He and Gail were married in 1957 and after graduation moved to Bethel, Ohio, where Paul taught and coached football. They returned to Morehead, where Paul taught at Rowan County High School, started the football program in 1962, and later served as athletic director. Paul was recognized as Outstanding Coach of the Year in the EKC Conference following an undefeated season in 1971-72. In 2005, he was honored when the high school football stadium was named the Paul Ousley Stadium.

In addition to being an educator, Paul was a local business owner and was involved in numerous community activities. He was co-owner and manager of Sinclair Service Station and co-owner of Larry’s Marine Sales for a number of years. A former member of Kiwanis and Jaycees, he was selected the Jaycees’ Outstanding Young Man of the Year in 1968. Paul was a former Rowan County magistrate, served on Morehead City Council two terms, and was a former member of the Morehead Utility Plant Board and Gateway Area Development District.

An active member of Morehead United Methodist Church, he had served on the board of trustees and administrative council.

Paul was an avid farmer and gardener, a loyal friend and neighbor, and a dedicated and loving husband, father, and grandfather.

A service celebrating the life of Paul Ousley will be at 11 a.m. Friday, March 8, at Morehead United Methodist Church with the Rev. Aaron Mansfield and Dr. Jack Ellis officiating. Burial will follow in Lee Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Buck Dawson, Matthew Goeke, Yoshua Herman, Sonny Jones, Donna Copher, Carl Sizemore, Dwain Wilson, Larry Crosthwaite Jr., Ronnie Stiner, and Jack Brown.

Honorary pallbearers will be the 1962-1972 RCHS football players and men of the United Methodist Church.

Visitation is from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Thursday, March 7, 2013, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Morehead United Methodist Church, 227 West Main Street, Morehead, KY 40351

View memorial tribute or sign guestbook at www.northcuttandson.com