Paul Douglas Tannehill

Paul Douglas Tannehill was born July 15, 1948, in Dallas, Texas, and died in College Station, Texas on October 20, 2020. He was the first son and preceded in death by his parents, Helen Wilson Tannehill and Robert Earl Tannehill, Jr.

Services will be held Saturday, October 31, 2020, 1pm at First United Methodist Church, Corsicana, Texas. Live streaming of the service will be available at fumccorsicana.org. An opportunity to visit with the family will follow at the church. In the interest of the health and safety of all, please observe social distancing. Masks will be required.

Always industrious, Paul was entrepreneurial from the early days. He would sell out his box of Southern Maid Donuts before reaching the end of the block. He bicycled and drove paper routes for both of the Dallas newspapers. He exited the Richardson Golden Eagle Band to sell ladies shoes at Neiman Marcus. He graduated from Richardson High School (Class of ’66), Richardson, Texas. In his last year at Texas A&M, he sold suits for Willie Wong, Hong Kong Tailor. In his adult life, Paul built a $1 million plus real estate appraisal business and later sold insurance, as well as automobiles. In Mom’s words, he was “Possible Paul”.

Never shy, he loved life and music. He sang in the First Baptist Dallas Chapel Choir and in the sanctuary choir at First United Methodist Church in Corsicana, Texas. As a square dance caller, Paul could skillfully “load the boat”.

Paul was a member of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, Squadron 1 (Huslin’ One) where he graduated with the Class of ’70, earning a BS in Finance. Not long ago, Paul donated his senior boots to the Sanders Corps Center where they are being worn by a current senior on campus. On numerous occasions he presided over Aggie Muster in Corsicana. He was an Aggie to the end.

Paul was big in stature but that was necessary to hold his big heart. His stories at cousin gatherings were legendary. He was very much a big brother. He was never a father but a dad to many. Paul rose to be Master of the Tannehill Masonic Lodge in Dallas. He was Christian. He was confident. He was correct. Some may say he was coarse but in later years he worked hard at perfecting the virtue of patience.

Paul’s sweet wife Charlotte predeceased him in 2012. His dear Aggie buddy, David Peterson, passed away in 2013. Paul and Karen Peterson, David’s widow, sought comfort in their friendship of over 50 years. They married in 2017. Paul is survived by his wife Karen, his brother John Tannehill, nephew Sam Tannehill and wife Lindsey, niece Helen and and great nephew Linus Tannehill, scores of cousins and his Godson Lance Peterson.

Paul’s work is done. His room in the mansion is prepared. He has entered God’s Kingdom. And for the Aggies, “It’s just another Corps Trip, boys, we’ll march in behind the Band.”

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made to the Corps of Cadets General Scholarship Fund at Texas A&M University. Please make checks payable to “Texas A&M Foundation” and write “Acct. #0533266 – Paul D. Tannehill ’70” on the memo line.  Gifts may be sent to:
 Texas A&M Foundation
401 George Bush Drive
College Station, TX  77840
Arrangements by Callaway-Jones, Bryan, Texas. 979.822.3717 Please visit the online obituary at CallawayJones.com