Paul Hegreness
November 26, 1955 ~ April 1, 2020
Resided in:
Pueblo West, CO
Paul Hegreness, 64, of Pueblo West, Colo., formerly of Mentor, Ohio, went to be with the Lord, Wednesday, April 1, 2020, in a biking incident.
Paul was born November 26, 1955, in Kentucky to Arthur and Bonnie Hegreness. On May 24, 1980, he married Darcy (Devers) Hegreness, from Richwood, Ohio. They met while attending The Ohio State University (Go Bucks!).
Paul was a loving husband, Dad, and Grandpa, who put his family and faith first. His life was characterized by compassion for everyone around him. He served as an elder at Bible Community Church, as a board member of Mentor Christian School, and as a Sunday school teacher at Majestic Church in Pueblo, Colo. He spent his career in public service as a recreation professional, with thirty years as the recreation superintendent in Mentor, Ohio and several years in retirement working part-time in Pueblo. He was loved by his co-workers and his work improved the quality of life of many thousands. Paul worked in parks, his family lived in parks (literally), they played in parks, and Paul passed away while enjoying a beautiful day biking with his wife in a park.
Paul and Darcy moved to Colorado over four years ago to be close to their sons and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Darcy Hegreness; mother, Bonnie Hegreness; brother, Steve (Anne) Hegreness; sons, Ryan (Amy) Hegreness, Dr. Jeff (Daphne) Hegreness, and Eric (Chantalle) Hegreness; and six grandchildren.
Paul Hegreness family will be honoring him with two services. Saturday, July 25th-10:00 am at Majestic Baptist Church, 494 E Hemlock Dr., Pueblo West CO 81007 and Saturday Aug 22nd-10:00 am at Bible Community Church, 8600 Lakeshore Blvd, Mentor Ohio, 44060 Due to coronavirus precautions, we encourage wearing a mask and we will not be able to have a reception after. Memorial gifts may be made to the Majestic Baptist Church, 494 Hemlock Dr. Pueblo West, CO 81007 toward playground equipment or Mentor Christian School, 8600 Lake Shore Blvd., Mentor, OH 44060.
Paul was so much more than an uncle, he was an inspiration in faith. He was an amazing example of a true man of God and he was the definition of JOY!!! Not a day goes by without a memory of him and his BIG heart. Sometimes I wonder why God took him so soon and then I think a man like Paul in these times is exactly who God needs by his side.
We will miss Paul. We are praying for Darcy and the rest of the family.
Hi Darcy and family, I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of Paul I went to high school with Paul.I remember him as a gentle young man. He was nice to everyone. He took time for them.
I’m not at all surprised at the life Paul lead and lived. It was just like him. I pray for you 🙏🙏 and your family for strength and peace.
On behalf of Colorado Baptist Disaster Relief, I want to share our prayers for Darcy and family in the loss of Paul. We will always remember his BIG smile and kind heart in wanting to help those in need.
My prayers and thoughts for Darcy and family.
With deepest sympathy
Seeing this picture of Paul smiling and reading his obituary that so perfectly described him touched me deeply. He truly was a remarkable man of God! His love first of all for his Lord spilled over to Darcy and their wonderful family and to all who knew him. My husband and I admired Paul greatly and appreciated the humble way he taught our Sunday School class. I grieve as best I can with Darcy and the family but also feel joy in the knowledge that Paul is safely in the arms of Jesus and that we will see him again someday. Yes…God is Good!
I am saddened to hear If this. My condolences to Darcy and the whole family. I will be praying for all of you!
I am so sorry for your loss. Paul was one of the kindest people I knew. My heart goes out to Darcy and the entire family.
Praying for you,
Samantha Graybill
Dear Darcy,
I am so sorry to hear about Paul.
As one of his teachers at Eastmoor High School, I remember him as a really nice guy. When he went to Ohio State he worked for my husband David in recreation and intramurals. David thought very highly of him also. In fact I remember you too from those years. I certainly empathize with the suddenness and grief that you are feeling. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love, Carol Griner
Darcy – we are heartbroken for you and your lovely family. Paul was a light in this world that had a smile and kind word for everyone he met, he will be greatly missed by many. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love you- Forrest and Barbara Owens
Dearest Darcy and family – we are truly heartbroken for you all. Paul was such a kind and generous man who touched many lives of those who had the privilege to know him. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Love, Forrest and Barbara Owens
Darcy and family, we were saddened to just learn of Paul’s incident . We have fond memories of our special friendship. Our most recent visit was so like old times. Our love and prayers to you all. Will and Nola May
You are the in my prayers. May God comfort you and your family at this difficult time love,Aunt Judy
So sorry for your lost
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I’m so terribly sorry to hear of your loss. May God carry you through this difficult time and surround you with His peace.
Every time I was around Paul, it was obvious how much he loved Darcy, his sons and the Savior. He was one of the good guys. Love and prayers to the family he leaves behind here on earth. There is peace knowing he is in a glorious place watching over you all.
Farewell for Now to My Dear Brother Paul Hegreness
We worshipped our Lord together
We prayed together
We served together
We labored together
We played together
We vacationed together
We wept together
We rejoiced together
We will worship our Lord again together – forever!
Praying the Lord showers the family with the peace that passes all understanding through His grace!
Our prayers are with you and your family 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏.
So sorry to hear. My heart breaks for you and your family. Praying for you all. Just know that we in Ohio love you and are thinking of you.
We were so lucky to have Paul create our Mentor Lagoons Park program. He opened up this community resource for hiking, paddling and education. I am grateful for the years that we worked together to make his vision the reality that it is today. Paul will be very much missed in Mentor.
My prayers for the family, so sorry for your loss
To Darcy and family: our deepest condolences to you during this difficult time. Paul invested a great deal of time in serving, loving, and leading others for Christ. We are most grateful to him for his mentorship, kindness, and positive example. We are deeply saddened by his passing, but we also rejoice in knowing we will see him alongside our Savior one day. Our prayers and love are with you all. God bless you and comfort you. Love, Pete and Tiffany St. John
I am so glad Jim and I got to meet you and Paul before you moved to Colorado. We are grateful for everything Paul did to make Mentor a better place to live. Keeping you and your family in our thoughts.
We are so thankful for the time we had Paul in our lives Far to short. Gone but never forgotten. Bless your family, sending you prayers and love. 🙏
We know where Paul is! 1John5:11-13.
“And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has [a]life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, [b]and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.”
I am so sorry, I pray for a calmness in your heart.
With the Love of Christ
Darcy and family, we are so sorry to hear of Paul’s accident. We are praying for comfort and peace for you all.
Kathryn and Roger Cain
Condolences to you Darcy and to your family! I didn’t know Paul but I’m sure he was an awesome guy who will be missed by many! Please find comfort in all the wonderful memories that you have and cherish the time you had together. You will be in our thoughts and prayers and know that I am here for you whenever this world craziness is over. Will look forward to the time when we can get back to the pool at the YMCA and continue with water aerobics! Hang in there my friend.
Love, Bobbi!
Darcy and Family
We are sorry for your loss. Paul was such a kind, gentle, Christian man. He will be missed by so many. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. We pray the Lord comforts you and gives to strength during this difficult time.
Darcy and family,
So many lives were made better simply because Paul lived. Ours included.
Paul was the first one to come and bring comfort to us during a difficult time for our family. I will always remember that.
May you find comfort knowing that he is forever in the loving care of our Father in heaven and he will be watching over you throughout your days.
Much love, hugs and prayers,
Peggy and John Sapara
So sorry to hear. My heart breaks for you and your family. Praying for you all. Just know that we in Ohio love you and are thinking of you.
Darcy,
My mom shared what happened the other day and my heart just sunk. Your husband was one of the finest men I knew from my childhood through the time Sue and I were starting our family. He was always smiling and happy to take a moment and ask how life was progressing with me. He was just so sincere and kind. I take great comfort knowing that Paul is with Jesus in heaven and I hope that you and the family can feel a bit of that comfort despite all the grief that you’re working through. Please know that Sue, Abby, Maddy and myself are lifting all of you up in prayer along with our entire church this weekend.
With deepest love and sympathies,
Doug and Sue Walouke
To Paul’s Family,
I’m so sorry to hear the news of Paul’s passing. Every time he came into the Pueblo City Park’s office, he made me smile. He always had a kind word, a story and a smile to share. He talked a lot about his family. He truly loved each of you and was very proud of everything you did. I hope you will find comfort in your memories of him. I will keep you in my prayers.
We were so heartbroken to hear about the passing of Paul. Paul was a dear brother in Christ that truly cared about showing the love of Christ in so many ways. Paul and Darcy impacted our family so much with their kindness and their ministry. We will be praying for you Darcy and your sweet family during these difficult days.
The world is minus one really good man. I remember all the way back to playing “catch” in front of our houses when Paul was 6 or 7. Such a good, deeply caring human being. Needing more like him around us these days, we now have one less. We should all step up some now, closer to his level. And His level. Prayers for all the family.
We are so saddened to learn of Paul’s death, but we rejoice in hope knowing he is at home in his heavenly body. A man with an exemplary Christian testimony such as Paul had is hard to find. Our love and sympathy to Darcy, Ryan, Jeff, Eric, and all of their families.
Very sad to hear this. Paul was a gentle soul and good man. Thoughts and prayers for his family in this time of grief 🙏🏻🙏🏻
I am so sorry for your loss. May God comfort you as only He can.
I am so sorry to hear of Paul’s passing. I have just known him for a couple of years here at Majestic and found out what a gentle, kind, caring, Christian person he was. We had been planning to play golf together as soon as possible. Even knowing him such a short time I am deeply saddened. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. God bless you all. We will all miss him greatly. Roger
Our hearts are heavy with sadness with the unexpected passing of our dear brother in Christ, Paul. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Darcy, and with your children and grandchildren, as well as Paul’s mother. We trust the Lord will give you comfort as only He can do. With our love and concern, Kathy
My heart goes out to all of Paul’s family for his loss. My love to all.
So sorry, Darcy. We pray the Lord’s presence and comfort will be your daily experience.
I am so saddened to hear of Paul’s passing. We grew up together at Redeemer Lutheran Church as well as middle and high school. Many youth group, confirmation classes, and church retreats over the years. Lots of wonderful memories of a sweet guy who was always laughing and enjoying life. Keeping you all in my prayers. See you on the other side Paul.
Praying for the family, our deep condolences. Bruce & Roxie
My deepest sympathy to Darcy & the family. Paul was a former college roommate, a good friend and a kind person.
Sending prayers and condolences to Paul’s family. I’m so sorry for your loss. 🙏❤️
I’m so sorry to learn of Paul’s passing. He was one of my best friends in high school. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
Dear Darcy and family, I’m so sorry for your loss. My heart aches for you all.
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. Paul and I met in Kindergarten and went thru highschool together. He was equally amazing then too.
Oh Darcy,
We are so heartbroken to hear of Paul’s passing. We remember many good times with your family when you lived at Garfield Park. Mike always thought Paul had the most innovative ideas. He especially liked the Fishing Days at Civic Center Pool at the end of each season. He also remembers the summer ski jumps during IBIM days. We are so glad you are surrounded by your kids and grandkids at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, Mike and Mary Beth
I’m so very sad to learn of Paul’s passing. We went to elementary, JR High and High School together and grew up in the same area. I remember him well and he was always so kind. My condolences and prayers for his family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. May you find strength from God to get you through this sad time.
Kathy and Ken Marvar
Paul was always a kind, calm, mature and Christian gentleman! I remember first meeting him in High School and going to his house on Dover and remembering he liked that John Lennon song “Imagine” … or getting Pizza at TAT on Beechwold and driving his Dad’s Blue Dodge Dart … I most recently saw Paul at his Mother in Law’s nursing home where I was doing a music show and afterwards Paul came up to me to pray together for doing that service for the residents … Paul was always a “Class Act” person and I was thankful to have had the opportunity to get to know him. I know he is with God and asking Him to watch over his family … Because that is the kind of thoughtful person Paul is!
We are so very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dear Darcy and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Hugs!
I am so sorry! Your husband was always a kind man! Prayers for your family!
So very sorry! Your husband was always a kind man. Prayers for all of you!
Our hearts go out to you and your family, Darcy. You are wrapped in loving hugs and prayers.
Praying for all of you. As much as we can we want to be there for you and support you in what ways we can. Paul will be missed greatly.
Precious family & friends, our hearts are broken as we lift our prayers, thanking the Lord for Paul’s life and asking the Lord to comfort you and all of us. The Lord touched our family and many, many others through Paul’s winsome smile, strong faith and Christlike leadership in our community. We love you all and we’re hurting with you. We will see Paul again thanks to the death and resurrection of Jesus. Tender blessings, Rick & Karen Peterson and family
I don’t even have words to explain the sorrow. You were loved and will be missed. We will be praying for you guys! Love you all.
Praying for your family.
We are blessed to have Paul and Darcy be part of our lives! Deepest condolences to the family. We love you, Joe and Kay Corbo
My deepest sympathy to Darcy and family. No words can describe how I feel about Paul. I met Paul when I was 3 years old. He is my first friend and my best friend. My mother and Paul’s mother are best friends since the late 50’s. If I had known when I talked to him on the phone on the 1st that would be the last time I would talk to him I would ended the conversation with I love you. I will see you again my friend.
Darcy,
You are in my thoughts and prayers ♥️
Darcy and Family: Kirk and I were so very sorry to learn of Paul’s accident. We both send our love, hugs and prayers to each of you during this time. May God comfort each of you in the days and weeks to come.
Psalm 1:1-3 do indeed characterize Paul. Praying for you all.
Cheryl and Joe Orazem.
Paul will be greatly missed by those whose lives he touched.
We will miss our brother in Christ and faithful friend. And we will pray and care often for Darcy and family. We love you!
Paul was more than a brother-in-law to me he was a brother! He made ordinary days something to behold. I know that God will say, “well done good and faithful servant” because that is what he was. He made everyone that knew him smile because that was his way. He is greatly missed and to me the world will not shine as bright with him gone. To his family I say thank you for sharing him with me. We were all blessed to have known him.
You are all in my prayers.
Paul you were a wonderful friend,and so glad I had the privilege of knowing you. You were a true brother in CHRIST. !! You Will Be Missed .
Sincerest condolences, John Price and Marie Price-Nijsthoven.