John "Johnny" Paul, Jr., left us swiftly on February 23rd, 2025, surrounded at the dining room table by his wife, children, and grandchildren, fussing over him. Born in Columbus, OH to John Paul, Sr. and Pauline Mullen, Johnny was proud to be from the South End.

Johnny attended South High, where his star moment was a perfect layup on the wrong side of the court. He joined the Coast Guard in 1974 and served four years, where he earned a marksman rifleman medal, commendation ribbon, and a good conduct medal, leaving in 1978 with honorable discharge. He would go on to start his own business, Paul's Cement, and built his family home block by block, where he lived until the day he left us.

His last words were that he needed to get out of bed, that he would not be wasting his day. Johnny was always on the go, whether it was working in the yard with a natural green thumb, running a business, helping deliver meals to those in need, spending the day at his favorite fishing holes, or hosting family gatherings centered around shared meals and his Ohio State Buckeyes.

Johnny walked the walk. He helped as many people as he could extend a hand to. He had opinions, for sure, but never judged. He did not understand world suffering because he was gentle. He leaves a loving wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and family and friends that never had to question his commitment to filling his role well.

He would not want a big fuss and would tell everyone to get back to their business. Hurry…but we will celebrate him together.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Pauline Mullen, stepmother, Barbara (Kaufmann) Paul, brother Jimmy Paul, and grandson, Xander. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Dee Paul; father, John Joseph Paul Sr.; brothers Mike (Marie) Jones, Kathy (Arthur) Maynard, and Steve (Brenda) Paul; children, Christina (Christopher) Donohue, Brandon (Deanna) Paul, John Paul, Sarah Beth (Allen) Paul, Eric (Windy) Paul, Ashley (Christopher) Quesada, Tonya Rodgers, and Margie Jennings; grandchildren Autumn, John, Jordan, Brandon, Kara, Lindsey, Charlotte, Kaden, Adrianna, Benny, Zeta, Makayla, Amelia, Gideon, Gabe, Michaela, Chloe, Lacey, Quenten, Chad, Layten, Ella, and more on the way; great-grandchildren Illeonna, Miles, Goldie, Scarlett, Paisley, and Carter; and many additional nieces, nephews, cousins, lifelong friends, and all of the people that he took in as part of the family along the way. His door was always open.

Johnny will be memorialized at a Celebration of Life on Monday, March 3rd, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. until time of funeral service at 6:30 p.m. at O.R. WOODYARD Co. Funeral Home at 1346 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio, 43207. Attendees are encouraged to wear your favorite game day gear, as long as it is scarlet and gray.