Franz Paul Abt

Services to be held at Church of the Servant located at 14343 N. Macarthur Blvd, Oklahoma City, Ok on Friday 4/1/2011 at 2:00pm. The family requests donations be made to the Library for the Blind in memory of Paul C. Abt in lieu of flowers. Donations should be sent to OSLS (Library for the Blind) P.O. Box 53593, Oklahoma City, OK 73152. Paul died on March 29, 2011 after a long illness. He is survived by his wife Gigi, son Kenny Abt, and daughter Peggy Hunnewell, 3 grandsons Riley Hunnewell, Tristen Hunnewell, Chandler Hunnewell and 1 granddaughter Sawyer Hunnewell, and 3 brothers Michael McCann, Mike and Eric Bearden. Paul was known by many different names by those that loved and adored him. Some called him Franz, some Paulie, some goldhazerl (little golden rabbit), hon, babe, and my favorite Daddy and Grandpapa. He also adorned many faces throughout his life. He was born and raised in Vienna, Austria where he spent his young life raised by his grandparents. At the age of 18 and after the death of his grandmother he would be reunited with his mom who resided in Jackson, Mississippi. But this was to be short lived when he was drafted for the Vietnam War. He would spend the next five years of his life honorably serving his country in the U.S. Army as a Green Beret and military intelligence officer. During one of his tours to Germany he would meet the love of his life, his wife of 42 years Gigi. Together they would end his tour of duty in Columbus, Georgia where the second love of his life would be born, his first child Kenneth C. Abt. He would then start his civil service career with the Department of Veterans Administration in Jackson, Mississippi. Here he would spend the next 20 plus years working his way from a lowly GS4 clerk up to retiring as a GS 14 with the title Chief of Material Management from the Oklahoma City branch. Shortly after moving back to Jackson he would have the joy of experiencing the birth of his second child Peggy J. Abt (Hunnewell). Who would be known as baby Abt for a brief period because HE surprised his parents and turned out to be a SHE. These would be his most prized accomplishments watching the two grow and experience life. Always being there with his loving hands out to catch them if they fell, dust them off and set them back on course. After raising his kids Paul would have a brief moment where he would spend his time pursuing his intellectual hobbies. Avidly reading and learning about history, science, or any topic that would broaden his perspective of the world. And just as he was growing accustomed to this life style the greatest chapter of his life would begin with the birth of his grandchildren. Riley 1996, Tristen 2000, Chandler born 1996 inducted into the grandchild hall of fame 2003, and Sawyer 2005. He would begin the days of dress up, make believe, outings to the zoo, the Dessert King and being that safety net once again. That person that you knew would always be there when you needed a confidant, cheer leader, authoritarian, friend, oh yeah, a GRANDPAPA! The final chapter in his life contained many challenges. During this time his armor would be chinked many times by illness beginning with blindness and culminating with kidney failure. With the support of his family and friends he would stand tall and valiant through the end knowing that they were now the net that would catch him. Throughout it all Paul tried to maintain a sense of humor, always being that guy in the photos with the goofy hat or crazy pose. He will be remembered by his family as the guy who loved a good beer, good food (especially dessert), and a good time. He and Gigi new how to cut a rug with the best of them! Paul was a deep and intellectual man who loved his family above all else. We are glad that he could be a shooting star in our lives and he will forever be missed but never forgotten! To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Franz Paul Abt please visit our Sympathy Store.