Paul Bemiss

PAUL BEMISS

West Union

Paul Bemiss, 71, passed away Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Spring Hill, Fla., after a sudden illness. He was born Dec. 17, 1949, to Robert and Frances Halverson Bemiss in West Union, Iowa. He attended North High School and graduated on May 26, 1968. After graduation, he attended NIACC in Mason City and graduated with an associate degree in business in 1970. He moved back to West Union and was employed by John Havener Pharmacy and was also employed by H & H Distributing. In 1971 after his parents passed away, he owned Bemiss Distributing with his brother, Gary, until they sold it in June 2020. Paul had one son, Robert Michael, and he was the joy in his life. He also loved his nieces and nephews and then his great-nieces and nephews. He was a wonderful father and uncle.

Paul was a member of the Bethel Presbyterian Church and he was baptized on Jan. 9, 1950, and confirmed in May 1963.

Paul was a member of the Jaycee's chapter in West Union and he also loved bowling. He loved the game of golf, and most importantly matching his shoes to his visor. Paul ran JB Racing with Bob Gage for several years and he also enjoyed driving his race car. He co-owned the race team called Black Jack Racing with Layne Meyer. He loved NASCAR and anything to do with racing, whether it be cars, horses or dogs. Paul also enjoyed hosting exchange students at his home and formed many friendships through the exchange program. Paul co-founded the Knob Prairie Benefit which raised over $500,000 for the children of our community and you can see many things around town, especially at the rec center this benefit funded. In 2010, Paul was named co-citizen of the year recognizing his charitable work around the community.

After his full-time retirement, he made his home permanent in Florida, where he could be close to his son, Rob. He enjoyed going over to the golf course, which Rob manages, and visiting with all of the employees. He enjoyed his time in Florida, and especially enjoyed the visits from his Iowa family.

Left to cherish Paul's memory is his son, Rob, Spring Hill, Fla.; his brother, Gary Bemiss of West Union; sister, Linda (Wayne) Schwarting of Marengo; his nieces and nephews, Kevin (Caroline) Bemiss, Clermont, Iowa, Christine (Rick Thompson) Bemiss, West Union, Iowa, Kelli (Dave) Lau, West Union, Iowa, Michael (Tara) Bemiss, West Union, Iowa, Lori (Mark) Miller, Williamsburg, Iowa Matthew (Melissa) Schwarting, Overland Park, Kan., Kari(Doug) Spence, Marengo, Iowa, Jamey (Geoff) Counase, Norwalk, Bobby Johnson, Norwalk, Mousa Shayan, Des Moines, Tabetha (Ted) Gehrke, Waterloo, Michael Berns, Waterloo, TJay

(Becci) Berns, Waterloo, Abi Eusau and David Berns; and many stepnieces and nephews. Paul is also survived by some special cousins, Kurt Bemiss, Roger Falb and Mike Schroyer. He is also survived by his ex-wife, Cathy (Berns) Bemiss. He is also survived by his great-nieces and nephews, Brittany, Brianna and Brooke Bemiss Thompson, Kedrick Bemiss and Jenna (Collin) Kane, Derik, Allison and Lukas Lau, Braeden and Blake Bemiss.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Frances Halverson Bemiss; his sister-in-law, Cathy (Renwick) Bemiss; and niece, Jesse (Johnston) Shayan.

Visitation will be held on Dec. 17, which would have been Paul's 72nd birthday, at the West Union Event Center from 4 to 7 p.m. The funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, The Bethel Presbyterian Church, West Union, Iowa. Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service is helping the family with the arrangements.