I was born in Ravenna, Ohio. My parents moved to N.C. (Pleasant Garden) when I was just a "lad." We moved from there to Michigan when I was nine. I am the oldest of four children, 2 brothers (Don & Robert) and a sister (Ruth). My parents were born and raised in south eastern Ohio around the Mt. Pleasant, Emerson and Cadiz area. My wife was born and raised in Ypsilanti, Michigan and is the oldest of four, 2 sisters (Deborah, Anita) and a brother (Don). (She also has 2 half sisters, Jane & Janet.) Her dad [W. Howard Pickinpaugh - 1908-98] was born in Camden, Illinois and her mother [Irene Cox - 1917-2002] was born in the "showboat" city, Chesaning, Michigan.

Two years after I graduated from high school, I enlisted [Rather than get drafted!] in the USAF (December of 1967). Marie and I were married on June 15, 1968. At that time I was headed for Fort Walton Beach, FL. for my first duty station. Marie had been in the Youth For Understanding exchange program in her school and had been practicing for a South American tour right after graduation. Hence, I went to Florida and she to S.A.,then she joined me in August. We lived there (Mary Esther, FL.) until April of 1969 when I received orders for Okinawa. During my four years in the United States Air Force (1967-71) my primary bases of station where Eglin AFB, (Fort Walton Beach, FL.) and Kadena AFB (Okinawa) Japan where I was stationed nearly 30 months (400th MMS). While stationed in Okinawa I had the privilege to work in an English Christian radio station, then owned by the Far East Broadcasting Company, (KSAB) as a disc jockey.

Marie worked in the office and occasionally did news broadcasts. We served (unoffically) nearly 2 years with FEBC. Our first child was born in 1972 almost 1 year after my discharge from the military.

The next year (August) I left for Bible school. I attended Pensacola Bible Institute where upon completion I received my BD.After graduation (1976) we began a small church in northern Michigan where we have been since then. All of our children, except our second daughter, have been born in Michigan. Keren was born in Florida just prior to my graduation.

Both daughters, as seen above, are married. Brad, Sarah and children live in Perrysburg, OH. They attend and serve in Hope Baptist Church (Pastor Rick Sowell). Jeremy, Keren and children, live just 1 mile from us here in Lupton, MI. They attend and serve as our youth leaders in our church here in Lupton (Bible Baptist Church). Our oldest boy, Paul Edward Jr.and his wife Kami live in Dallas, Georgia and he is a police officer in Sandy Springs. They attend Harvest Baptist Church in Acworth (Pastor Dan Reed) and serve there in Awana's and Paul coaches the boys basketball team. Our second boy, David Charles, his wife Susan and children live in Holland, OH which is a surburb of Toledo. He has his own carpet installing business and stays very busy most of the time. He and his wife are on staff at Hope Baptist Church [Pictures] in Toledo and David serves as Associate Pastor and together they serve as youth leaders. Our third son, Jonathan Howard, after finishing 3 years (2007) at PBI (Pensacola, FL) is now living in Lupton and helping at our church as well as holding down a job. Joel is in the Marines and is in the 2nd Marine Div., 2nd AABn. Last but not least is Seth who is now in the eight grade and is learning more and more about what it means to be the LAST and YOUNGEST sibling.