Paul Vernon Lail

A sharp-witted humble hero who loved to laugh; a man most were both glad and proud to know. Became a hand-to-mouth independent by choice at age 14, abruptly uprooting from Western US to eventually put down solid roots in Southeast US. WWII vet serving as a medic at Normandy on D-Day. Like many vets, didn't care to talk about war. Easily lived through but ultimately died because of the golden ages of "cigarettes are good for you," and "this asbestos stuff is just harmless insulation." Construction worker. Metal lather in original construction of New Orleans Superdome. Gorgeously curly well-managed hair. Collector & seller of antiques, instruments & curiousities. Sugar addict & diabetic. Gambling man. Avid admirer of John Wayne and Louis L'Amour. Survivor of stomach-stabbing psycho drunk ex. Sharer of heart with not-psycho Dorothy L. Lail, also formerly of Panama City, FL USA. Their final decades together inspired an abundance of spontaneous music playing (harmonica & any strings picked or strummed, but special love for banjo & mandolin) dancing, laughter and love. Overall, despite unpleasant beginning & ending, a purposely chosen life of joy.