Paul Holland

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Paul Eugene Holland, Jr, age 66, of Joplin, passed away suddenly on Saturday June 3, 2023.

Paul was born on March 15, 1957, the son of the late Paul Holland, Sr., and Rose (Bishoff) Holland. He has been a lifelong area resident. He graduated from Diamond High School in 1975. He attended MSSU. 

He married his high school sweetheart, Peggy McCutcheon on January 26, 1980 in Joplin, 6 years later to the day of their first date. They were married at the Community Church in Joplin with Joe Johnson officiating. 

Paul would give flowers to Peggy on all their anniversaries beginning with a single yellow rose delivered on the school parking lot, on the anniversary of their first date. The bouquets would consist of different types of flowers. One flower would represent the years of dating and another flower the years of marriage, eventually the children were represented with roses. This continued for about 25 years with bouquets getting rather large and costly. Together they were blessed with three children. 

Paul’s first job was at age 12 as a corn detasseler in Sarcoxie. He then was employed at the original Casa Montez as a bus boy. He was known as “Pulverizer Paul” as it was rumored there were boxing matches outback at break time. He also worked for Dr. Pepper as a route salesman. When driving through small towns in the 4-state area he would point out all the mom-and-pop stores where he had made deliveries. 

In 1979 he began his work in the welding industry at P.G. Walker, where he was hired as a dock worker. An older employee, Sam Fint, took one look at his long hair and thought to himself, he’ll never last”, they went on to become great friends, with Paul witnessing his end-of-life directive. Another evaluator told Paul that he was the kind of guy who would rise to the top. Businesses did business with Paul not necessarily the company he worked for. 

Paul drove an 18-wheel tractor trailer store on wheels for several years. The first Monday he had the new truck, he didn't go to work as planned but instead to the hospital for the birth of his second daughter. 

Paul held many positions ending in outside sales. He helped establish a store in Oklahoma City, OK. Paul had an iron-clad reputation as someone who could be trusted and would do whatever he said he would. The customer was always his number one priority and would go to bat with the company if needed. He also worked for Kirk Welding, and Praxair, retiring in October 2020.

Paul was a member of Joplin Masonic Lodge No. 335 A.F. & A.M., Scottish Rites Bodies, and the Valley of Joplin Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Temple of Springfield. He served as past Rajah of the Joplin Shrine Club, was recently appointed as a Shrine Board of Directors Trustee and was very active in the ABA Shrine Pirates. Paul enjoyed being a pirate and participating in the parades. He especially enjoyed letting children and parents get on the ship afterwards. He was always all about the kids. He truly believed noboby stands as tall as when they bend to help a child. Paul was a past member of the Diamond R-4 School Board, serving from 1991 to 2007.

Paul loved music and began playing guitar at a young age. He could read music but preferred to play by ear. He was a founding member in two bands Open Road and Sour Mash which were mostly country rock bands with some bluegrass thrown in. He played rhythm guitar and the mandolin. Paul liked to entertain the crowd by playing the mandolin behind his head. He was the spokesperson for the band. He played in the band with brothers Bob and Tom. He was a member of the Back Porch gang at the ATA Hall in Saginaw. After his brother Bob passed away he didn't play very much. He finally admitted without his brothers his heart just wasn’t in it. Paul had a great sense of humor and will be missed by all who knew him. 

Paul was a member of the Cranky Crew Golf Association. It consisted of fellow employees from the welding industry. They would meet in Bella Vista in the Spring and Fall, usually his job was to cook breakfast each day. In preparation for the trip each year he and Peggy would have to have a discussion on the correct ratio of flour and milk to get the sausage gravy just right. Paul loved being with his family and friends. Each of you should know that there is a special place in his heart for each of you and that he loved you dearly. If Fridays get together was a party he was planning he would be pacing and worrying if there was enough of everything for everyone.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Rose Holland; and two brothers, Bob Holland and Tom Holland.

Paul was a loyal loving husband whose family knew no matter what he would provide for them. He is survived by his wife of forty-three years, Peggy Holland, Joplin; two daughters, Alisha Krusich and husband Devon, Pittsburg, KS, and Jenna Frazier and husband Drew, Webb City, MO; one son, Paul Holland, III, Joplin, MO; a little later in life he and Peggy were chosen to be the parents of their niece, Raven Holland, Joplin; his sister-in-law, Colleen Holland, Diamond, MO; his precious ten grandchildren, Jack, A.J. Annie, and Joseph Krusich, Sophie, Ruby, Heidi, Sadie and Josie Frazier, and Liam Holland; several nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday at Mason-Woodard Chapel. Pastor Greg Snow will officiate. Burial will be in Stone Cemetery, near Diamond, MO. The visitation will be held 5 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday at Mason-Woodard Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be given to the ABA Shrine Club Pirates in care of the mortuary.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.