(From Clark Funeral Home)James “Jim” George Paullus, 86, of Neosho, Missouri, or “Papa” as he has affectionately been referred to for the last 35 years, passed away peacefully on Thursday May 8th 2025 surrounded by his children. Jim was a devoted husband and father, loving grandfather and great-grandfather, committed friend and dedicated educator who was loved and respected by all.
Jim was born on March 24th 1939 to James Alexander and Louise “Lizzie” Magdalena (Rott) Paullus in Sapulpa, Oklahoma.
Jim is survived by his beloved wife, Joyce Elaine (Wilson) Paullus. Jim and Joyce had been married for almost 65 years and were married on September 23rd 1960 in Southwest City, Missouri. They made their permanent home in Neosho, Missouri about 5 years later where they became active members of the United Methodist Church.
He is also survived by his two loving children- Julie (Mark) Alwardt of Liberty Mounds (Tulsa area), Oklahoma and Jeff (Angie) Paullus of Neosho, Missouri. Between the two families of Julie and Jeff, Jim is survived by five grandchildren- Justin (Callie) Alwardt of Jenks, Oklahoma, Blake (Riley) Alwardt of Searcy, Arkansas, Carter (Suzie) Alwardt of Liberty Mounds, Oklahoma, Emily (Brett) Abell of Neosho, Missouri, Chris (Bailey) Paullus also of Neosho, Missouri. His five great-grandchildren- Rhett Alwardt (Justin and Callie), Addilyn Alwardt (Carter and Suzie), Drake and Lorraine Abell (Emily and Brett), and Charlotte Paullus (Chris and Bailey). Jim is also survived by his sister-in-law, Sharon Paullus along with nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, James and Louise Paullus, and his brother, Frank Paullus.
Jim graduated from Kellyville High School in Oklahoma where he was very active in many sports. Jim’s favorite sport to watch and play was baseball. He played highly competitive baseball on a Sapulpa baseball team and later went on to continue his baseball career at Oklahoma State University and then again at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Shortly after transferring to NSU, Jim was offered a contract to play professionally with the Milwaukee Braves organization until an injury prompted the end of his baseball career.
Jim graduated with his bachelor’s degree in education from NSU and then began his teaching and coaching career in Southwest City, Missouri where he met and later married Joyce. Not long after their marriage, they returned to Tahlequah where Jim earned his Master’s degree in School Administration. Being a life-long learner dedicated to education, Jim went on to earn his Specialist's degree from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. Jim had a very long and successful career in education in which he served as a teacher, coach, Junior High Principal, High School Principal, Superintendent in several different school districts including Southwest City, OK; Wyandotte, OK; Seneca, MO; Neosho, MO; Webb City, MO and Diamond, MO and, finally, Interim Superintendent of Neosho Schools. Mr. Paullus served the students, staff and families of each school district with a strong work ethic, compassion, and diligent commitment to success.
Jim poured his life into his work in education and continuously sought to make a positive impact in the communities he served. One of Jim’s greatest passions in life was to be around his family, especially his grandkids. He loved watching his kids and grandkids play sports, compete in many different activities, receive awards, play in the yard, play cards, or just simply visit. The grandkids enjoyed riding around the farms with Papa, checking the fences, feeding the cows, and helping with whatever was needed.
A cherished memory of all the grandkids was the annual trip to Branson, Missouri where they would all go camping, play games, watch shows, and visit Silver Dollar City. They also loved going to baseball games with Papa. Papa was highly involved in the lives of each of his children and his grandchildren and that loving, positive impact he made on each of them will always be remembered. Jim truly loved his family. Farming was another favorite activity of Jim’s; one that required a lot of time and dedication. Growing up on a farm, Jim knew how to love the land and enjoyed raising cattle as a pastime outside of working in education.
He is also survived by his two loving children- Julie (Mark) Alwardt of Liberty Mounds (Tulsa area), Oklahoma and Jeff (Angie) Paullus of Neosho, Missouri. Between the two families of Julie and Jeff, Jim is survived by five grandchildren- Justin (Callie) Alwardt of Jenks, Oklahoma, Blake (Riley) Alwardt of Searcy, Arkansas, Carter (Suzie) Alwardt of Liberty Mounds, Oklahoma, Emily (Brett) Abell of Neosho, Missouri, Chris (Bailey) Paullus also of Neosho, Missouri. His five great-grandchildren- Rhett Alwardt (Justin and Callie), Addilyn Alwardt (Carter and Suzie), Drake and Lorraine Abell (Emily and Brett), and Charlotte Paullus (Chris and Bailey). Jim is also survived by his sister-in-law, Sharon Paullus along with nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, James and Louise Paullus, and his brother, Frank Paullus.
Jim graduated from Kellyville High School in Oklahoma where he was very active in many sports. Jim’s favorite sport to watch and play was baseball. He played highly competitive baseball on a Sapulpa baseball team and later went on to continue his baseball career at Oklahoma State University and then again at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Shortly after transferring to NSU, Jim was offered a contract to play professionally with the Milwaukee Braves organization until an injury prompted the end of his baseball career.
Jim graduated with his bachelor’s degree in education from NSU and then began his teaching and coaching career in Southwest City, Missouri where he met and later married Joyce. Not long after their marriage, they returned to Tahlequah where Jim earned his Master’s degree in School Administration. Being a life-long learner dedicated to education, Jim went on to earn his Specialist's degree from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. Jim had a very long and successful career in education in which he served as a teacher, coach, Junior High Principal, High School Principal, Superintendent in several different school districts including Southwest City, OK; Wyandotte, OK; Seneca, MO; Neosho, MO; Webb City, MO and Diamond, MO and, finally, Interim Superintendent of Neosho Schools. Mr. Paullus served the students, staff and families of each school district with a strong work ethic, compassion, and diligent commitment to success.
Jim poured his life into his work in education and continuously sought to make a positive impact in the communities he served. One of Jim’s greatest passions in life was to be around his family, especially his grandkids. He loved watching his kids and grandkids play sports, compete in many different activities, receive awards, play in the yard, play cards, or just simply visit. The grandkids enjoyed riding around the farms with Papa, checking the fences, feeding the cows, and helping with whatever was needed.
A cherished memory of all the grandkids was the annual trip to Branson, Missouri where they would all go camping, play games, watch shows, and visit Silver Dollar City. They also loved going to baseball games with Papa. Papa was highly involved in the lives of each of his children and his grandchildren and that loving, positive impact he made on each of them will always be remembered. Jim truly loved his family. Farming was another favorite activity of Jim’s; one that required a lot of time and dedication. Growing up on a farm, Jim knew how to love the land and enjoyed raising cattle as a pastime outside of working in education.
After retiring, working on the farms quickly became his full time job and hobby. A visitation with family will be held on Sunday May 18th 2025 from 1:00pm to 2:30pm at Clark Funeral Home at 312 S. Wood Street in Neosho, Missouri.
The family will be having a private family funeral service. Jim Paullus will be laid to rest at Oakwood Cemetery in Neosho, Missouri. Contributions in memory of Jim Paullus may be made to Neosho United Methodist Church and/or St. Jude’s Hospital ℅ Clark Funeral Home, PO Box 66 Neosho, Missouri 64850.
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