Paul Ballengee Gum Jr., 83, passed away on January 22, 2021.
Preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter, Lois; and son, Paul Ballengee Gum III.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Lorella Jean (Henry) Gum; daughter, Lorie (Tom) Skelton; son, Percy (Dulcie) Gum; sister, Verla (Don) Majocha; nephew, Darrin (Kristen); niece, Tamara (Cara); and his loving grandchildren, Tara (Tyler) Pritts, Keri (Scott) Fortune Michael (Emma) Skelton; and four great grandsons, Tristen, Shane, Aaron and Hayden Pritts.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.
Paul grew up in Charleston, West Virginia, and moved to Pittsburgh to attend the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, where he met his future wife Lorella Jean Henry.
Paul was always a scholarly student and was interested in Astronomy. He excelled in the classroom and in sports. He was a letterman of both soccer and basketball, Vice President of the Reading Club, Vice President of the Senior Class, Editor of the Year Book, and an Eagle Scout.
After he graduated from Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf in 1956, Paul studied at the Gallaudet University before establishing roots in Pittsburgh (Brookline), where he worked as a printer at the Pittsburgh Press/Post Gazette for 38 years.
Paul was an advocate for deaf equality and a leader in the deaf community. He served as President of the Pennsylvania Association of the Deaf as well as the National Deaf Convention for many years.
An avid camper, Paul enjoyed sitting by the campfire with friends and family, smoking a cigar and spending time with his beloved dogs Coco and Gizmo. He also enjoyed woodworking and model trains.
Friends will be received Tuesday January 26, from 2 pm to 4 pm and 6 pm to 8 pm, at MILLER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY of Somerset.
The family suggests memorial contributions be directed to The Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, or the Pennsylvania Association of the Deaf. Online condolences may be expressed at millerfuneralhomeandcrematory.com
Source: DailyAmerican.com
