Paul Eldon Gigax

Paul Eldon Gigax

Oct. 27, 1930 - Nov. 15, 2011

HAYES CENTER, Nebraska -- Paul Eldon Gigax of Hayes Center passed away on Tuesday (Nov. 15, 2011), at Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte. He was 81 years old.

Paul was born to Elmer and Alice (Cary) Gigax in Hayes County on Oct. 27, 1930. He graduated from Hayes Center High School in 1948.

On Nov. 16, 1951, he enlisted in the US Army and was stationed in Japan during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged on Oct. 21, 1953.

Paul returned to Hayes County where he farmed, ranched and raised Hereford cattle until his retirement. On Nov. 2, 2002, he was united in marriage to Vonda Wilson-Loomis in Hayes Center, Nebraska.

He was a member of the Union Congregational Church since 1955, Palisade Veteran's of Foreign Wars Post 7028 for 55 years of which he was a charter member, and American Legion Post 287 of Hayes Center for over 56 years, and McCook Elk's Lodge No. 1434 for 43 years. Paul enjoyed visiting with friends at the Senior Center in Hayes Center. He was an avid sports fan of the Hayes Center Cardinals and Nebraska Huskers. Paul also enjoyed hunting, especially pheasants.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Elmer and Alice Gigax; two brothers, Roger and Boyd Gigax; niece, Beverly Gigax Gartrell; and nephew, John Charles Gigax.

He is survived by his wife, Vonda Gigax of Hayes Center; step-daughter, LeAvis Sullivan of Charleston, South Carolina; step-sons, Lonnie Loomis of Morrill and Kirt Loomis and wife, Sharon, of Scottsbluff; brother, Gilbert Gigax and wife, Greta, of Hayes Center; five step-grandchildren and five step-great-grandsons; sisters-in-laws, Barbara Gigax of Hayes Center and Patricia Gigax of Dallas, Texas; and in-laws, Velma Walker of Maywood, Shirley and Jack Bishop of Hayes Center, Sharon Felker of Greeley, Colorado, Kay Wilson of Grand Island, Norma Wilson of Culbertson and Darwin Wilson of Culbertson; nieces and nephews, Blake Gigax and wife, Mary, of Hayes Center, David Gigax of Paxton, Donald Gigax and wife, Maggie, of Jacksonville, Florida, Paul A. Gigax Mabank, Texas, Pamela Rager of Dallas, TX and Danny Gigax and wife, Judy, of St. Peters, Missouri; numerous great-nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

Memorials may be given in his name to the Union Congregational Church or Hayes Center Ambulance.

Visitation will be Sunday from 4-8 p.m. at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be Monday, Nov. 21, 2011, 10:30 a.m. at the Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Hayes Center with Pastor Jean Miller officiating. Burial will follow in the Hayes Center Cemetery with Military Honors.

Friends may send condolences online at www.carpenterbreland.com. Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook is in charge of the arrangements.