November 27, 1946 – January 7, 2026
Thomas C. Paul, 79, of Forest City, passed away on January 7, 2026 at his home under the care of his wife Joyce and St. Croix Hospice.
A gathering to celebrate Tom’s life will be held on Sunday, January 11, 2026 from 2:00-4:00 PM at Schott Funeral Home, 505 N. Clark St, Forest City, IA 50436. Forest City American Legion Post 121 will be performing military honors at 4:00 PM.
Burial of cremains will take place at a later time with his family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Tom Paul memorial fund in care of the family.
Thomas Clement Paul was born on November 27, 1946 in Mankato, Minnesota, the son of Clement and Mary (LaValley) Paul. He attended school in Delavan graduating in 1964.
Tom enlisted in the United States Army, serving from 1965 until his honorable discharge in 1968. He was an MP in the US Army and was stationed in Alaska. His role in Alaska was a security guard for a nuclear silo facility and that is where he spent the majority of his military career. With just under a year left, he was sent to Fort Leavenworth, KS to finish out the remainder of his service as a security guard at the prison.
Tom married Joyce Smith on May 30, 1970 in Easton, MN. Soon after their wedding they settled in Forest City, where they built their home and their life together. There they raised two sons, Bryan and Kevan and created a place filled with love, laughter, and countless memories. Over the years their family continued to grow, blessing them with five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Tom was an avid outdoorsman who loved spending time on the water. He fished throughout the Midwest, but the Blue Earth River in Minnesota always held a special place in his heart. When he wasn’t fishing, he enjoyed hunting, shooting pool, and finding and selling antiques. He was well known in the area as a dedicated antique collector/dealer.
Tom is survived by his wife, Joyce; children, Bryan and Kevan (Lesa); grandchildren, Tabetha, Mckhayla (Nick), Isaac (Allison), Houston and Nevaeh; great-grandchildren, Ryder, Easton, and Cooper; nephew, Greg; niece, Barb; and cousin, Julian.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clement and Mary; sister, Marvel; and cousin, Alberta (Reno).
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