Paul Dean Albright

August 15, 1936 - May 15, 2018

Paul Dean Albright, 81, 1695 Sundance Dr, Marion, IA, passed away on Tuesday, May 15th, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, IA, surrounded by his family. He was born on August 15th, 1936, in Davis County, IA to Carl and Cecil (Hopkins) Albright. He graduated from Audubon High in 1955, where he participated in wrestling as well as track, where he could run a 100-yard dash in 10 seconds flat. He met Sarah Selix and they united in marriage on March 21, 1958, at the Ottumwa Baptist Temple. After their marriage, they moved to Tilden, NE, in 1958 where Paul became the hospital administrator at the Tilden Community hospital at the age of 22 years old, with a high school diploma. He and Sarah then moved to Geneva, NE, in 1961 continuing his profession as hospital administrator. Paul oversaw the original physical construction, he selected the complete nursing staff and ordered all necessary equipment to establish the county’s first hospital. Eventually, they moved to Manchester, IA, in 1968 where he was the hospital administrator of Delaware County Memorial Hospital for 24 years. Paul took on the responsibility of building a new hospital after retiring the old building to provide a nursing home facility. Paul’s 24year career was extremely successful because of his dedication and loyalty. The community still benefits from his administrative legacy. He retired in 1992. During his lifetime, Paul was an avid golfer and he enjoyed fishing, traveling, reading western novels, following his favorite baseball team (Cardinals), and spending time with family and friends. Later in life, Paul and Sarah took up RVing, taking their children on many memorable vacations. They loved to spend winters in southern Texas, taking fishing trips to Press Lake in Canada, taking adventures on old jeep trails in Colorado, and listening to wonderful music at Bluegrass festivals. Paul is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sarah; children Sue (Steve) Wendt of Knoxville, IA, Steve(Marj) Albright of Omaha, NE, Doug Albright of Omaha, NE, and Denise (Kha) Phan of Cedar Rapids, IA; twelve grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren. He was proceeded in death by his parents Carl and Cecil Hopkins-Albright, and his sisters Velma Piper and JoAnn Davis. Paul will be remembered as a Christian, loving husband of 60 years, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and a friend to so many. “You will be greatly missed !” Services will be held Saturday, May 19th, at Wagler Funeral Home, located at 304 West Jefferson, Bloomfield, IA. Visitation will begin at 11:30 AM, with family and friends present to greet friends until the time of the funeral service at 1:00 PM with Pastor Dane Schaudt of Pella officiating. Memorials can be made in Pauls’ name to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association.