Paul Stephen Shearer

April 26, 1957 – October 10, 2018

Retired Army First Sergeant Paul Stephen Shearer, age 61, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, October 10th, 2018, in Temple, Texas surrounded by his family.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, October 18th, 2018 at Scott’s Funeral Home at 10:00 am, 1614 S. FM 116, Copperas Cove, Texas, 76522. An interment with full military honors will be held on Friday, October 19, 2018, at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, at 1:00 pm, 11463 TX-195, Killeen, Texas, 76542.

Paul was born on April 26, 1957, in Killeen, Texas. He was the son of Orrin and Mildred Shearer.

He is a graduate of Perry Senior High School in Perry, Oklahoma. Paul married Rita Tovar, his high school sweetheart and love of his life, on February 14, 1974.

In December of 1975, he joined the United States Army where he earned several medals, including the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service, and Army Commendation Medal. He is also a lifetime member of the Sergeant Morales Club as well as the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club. Paul retired from the United States Army after 26 years of distinguished service to his country on December 31, 2001. The discipline and patriotism he learned in the Army never left him, as friends and family will attest.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents.

Left to honor Paul and remember his love and strength are his wife, Rita Shearer, four children: Courtney Shearer-Troyer and husband Matthew, Michael Shearer and wife Toni, Lindsey Orenstein and husband Robert, and Stephen Shearer. Paul fiercely loved his fourteen grandchildren, Hannah Campbell, Isaac Orenstein, Shelby Evans, Noah Campbell, Nicholas Shearer, Ethan Shearer, Isabella Campbell, Abigail Shearer, KaLeigh Shearer, Joshua Shearer, Aubrey Orenstein, Austin Shearer, Ava Troyer, and Jillian Shearer. His three siblings, Mark Shearer, Elona Shearer-Bright, and Oriana Burasco.