Paul Morris Schrader

Paul Morris Schrader, age 80, a long time Lake George area resident, peacefully passed from this life to eternal life on Sunday, March 7, 2021 with his loving wife, Beverly at his side caressing his hand. Paul grew up in Walnut, Illinois where he attended grade school. His family later moved to Lyndon, Illinois where he attended high school. As a young man, Paul worked for a local farmer before entering the United States Navy on January 29, 1958, where he served as a Machinist Mate/Fireman aboard the USS Dashiell DD 659. Upon receiving his honorable discharge in 1960, he returned home to Illinois where he worked in building construction. On June 12, 1960, Paul was united in marriage to the love of his life, Beverly Sue Bass in rural Lyndon. They were blessed with five children: John, James, Paula, Jason, and Joshua. Paul began working for the Northwestern Steel and Wire Company for several years. In 1967, they moved with their children to Centralia, Missouri where Paul gained employment with an electrical component manufacturer working as a drill press operator and welder. In 1970, they returned to Lyndon where he returned to his previous employment at the steel mill. In 1977, Paul and Bev vacationed with their children in the Park Rapids area and enjoyed the area and its people so much they decided to move there. Paul again returned to working in building construction and remodeling. He was proud to have completed his GED in 1980, since he had not graduated from high school because of his desire to serve his country. Furthermore, in 1985, Paul went back to vocational school and became a professionally licensed semi-truck driver. He began his trucking career with Q Carriers in Savage, MN. Later, he and his oldest son, John and friend, Larry Johnson began a custom woodworking shop in Northfield, MN which they called, Dayspring Creations. Later he heard the open road calling and resumed his career with Anderson Trucking Service of St. Cloud, MN in 1997. He purchased his own truck in 1997 and became an owner/operator leased to ATS. He drove over the road until his retirement in 2006. Paul was a faithful and active member of Faith Baptist Church in Park Rapids, which is now known as Faithbridge Church. Paul loved the Lord and devoted his life to serving Jesus Christ. He had a poet’s heart and enjoyed writing poetry. Over 45 of his poems are part of the Faithbridge Library collection and speak of Christ’s love, forgiveness, and redemption. He loved to read, and study God’s word daily and enjoyed reading Christian action fiction. Throughout his life, Paul loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gardening. He was a gifted storyteller and loved to share his adventures of driving flatbed semi-trailers across the Atlantic Ocean beaches delivering building materials for ocean front construction projects or his treks on high mountain roads with sheer cliffs that were not engineered for 18 wheelers. Paul is lovingly remembered by his precious wife and soulmate, Beverly Sue; his five children: John (Patricia) Schrader of Lake George, James (Toshia) Schrader of Perry, Iowa, Paula (Greg) Hovey of Phenix City, Alabama, Jason Schrader, and Joshua Schrader both of Lake George; two sisters: Christine (Randy) Spotts of Rock Falls, Illinois, and Mary Alice Osborn of Georgia; as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents 12 siblings and one daughter-in-law, Marcy Schrader in 2017. Funeral services are planned for 11 AM Saturday, March 13, 2021 at the Faithbridge church with Rev. Jeff Lange officiating. Jan Henderson will be the organist. The casket bearers will be his grandchildren. Interment will be in the Ft. Ripley State Veterans Cemetery. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the services at the church. To leave online condolences, share memories or view the video tribute please visit www.jonespearson.com