R.C. Paulette, 86, of Odessa, Texas went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on January 28, 2021 in Odessa, Texas, after a brief illness.
Funeral Services was held at 10:00 AM, Friday, February 5, 2021 at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home with Reverend Clydel Chapman officiating. Burial was at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
R.C. was born in Midland, Texas to Roy and Dorothy Paulette on March 30, 1934. He graduated from Odessa High School and then went on to earn his Bachelor of Science Mechanical Engineering degree at the University of Texas in Austin (Hook ‘em Horns). R.C. was a Licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Texas for over 50 years.
He married the love of his life, Irene, on September 11, 1954 at Immanuel Baptist Church in Odessa, Texas. He worked as an engineer for Boeing right out of college in Wichita, Kansas; then moved back to Odessa and continued his engineering career at El Paso Products, Swinney Machine Corp, Odessa Industrial Casting and Phillips Petroleum. In his retirement, he developed a very successful insurance agency named R.C. Paulette Insurance, where he earned the company’s respect, and was rewarded with trips to Canada, France, Germany, Alaska, Argentina, Holland, San Francisco, London, Morocco, Spain, Austria, London, Mexico and Italy. He was involved in many clubs and organizations throughout his life, but the one he loved the most was the Rotary Club of Odessa. R.C. held many offices in Rotary, including President of the Rotary Club of Odessa. While he was president, groundbreaking took place for the Rotary Park located between Odessa and Midland. He also served as District Governor of District 5730 (51 Rotary Clubs) in 2000-2001.
R.C. thoroughly enjoyed watching football games on TV and rehashing the plays with his son and his two brothers and other family members. He was “Texas Longhorn” burnt orange on the inside. He loved having his family around and telling a good joke. The punch lines were the funniest part of his jokes, especially when he could remember them.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his two younger brothers, Charles, and Jerry.
R.C. is survived by his wife, Irene of 66 years; son, Gary Paulette and wife Janiece of Midland, Texas; and daughter, Kelly Nettleton, and husband David of Humble, Texas. He is also survived by his two granddaughters, Casey Timme and husband Cameron of Kingwood, Texas, Nicole Atherton and husband Ross; 5 grandsons, Chris Paulette, Sean Stapleton and wife Paige of Houston , Texas, Tyler Stapleton and wife Megan of Austin, Texas, Alec Nettleton and wife Amanda of Denver, Colorado, and Kelby Nettleton of Houston; as well as 9 beautiful great grandchildren.