Obituary of Paul A. Montoia

IN LOVING MEMORY OF PAUL A. MONTOIA IN LOVING MEMORY OF PAULINO “PAUL” A. MONTOIA Paulino “Paul” Amedeo Montoia, age 95, passed away peacefully on October 13, 2020, in Norton, KS. Paul, one of nine children, was born on September 5, 1925, was to Alfredo and Lucila (Camus) Montoya in Cuba, New Mexico. He served in the Armed Forces from 1943-1949, stationed in Denver, Colorado, Korea and Germany. On his return from Germany to Denver, he came by way of Norton, to see an army buddy, Augie Unrein, and his wife, Anna. It just so happened Anna’s sister, Clemmie, was introduced to Paul on that visit and from then on Paul made visits to Norton until his discharge from the service. Paul and T. Clementine Robben were united in marriage May 1, 1950, in Norton, where they made their home. In the early years, he worked for his father-in-law, Clemens Robben, at the Norton Manufacturing Company where they drilled water wells and he also learned welding and metal works. In 1951, Clemmie and Paul bought a three room house along Highway 36 as their first home. Eventually they needed more space, so Paul purchased an old farmhouse and he was able to use the lumbar making the addition of 2 bedrooms and later a living room and carport. The addition made room for their growing family totaling four children. Paul bought the Phillips 66 gas station, which stood on the corner of Highway 36 and Second St., which also included a small grocery store and a door-to-door Fairmont milk route. Later, he would build a new service station in its place and eventually sold the business to Leroy (Pete) Peterson. In 1958, he built the A & W Drive-In Restaurant on the lot next to their home on Highway 36 which butted up next to their carport. This was operated during the summer months and closed in the winter. It became the first job for a lot of local high school kids and a popular hangout as well. He also was a wholesale distributor for DOB Corporation selling pizza-making supplies to Kansas and Nebraska bars and restaurants. As years passed he built a new home 4 miles west of Norton, removed his original home, and built a new A & W replacing the old one. He ran the A & W for a total of 20 years where they started selling mugs of root beer for 5 cents and hamburgers for 29 cents which carhops would deliver. During this time, he purchased the Halbert Propane Service and later renamed it Norton Propane Service. Paul would later sell that business to Don Ryan. Paul partnered with Larry Hull leasing Silvaire Skating Rink building and re-opened it as a 'membership only’ nightclub and renaming it The Club Silvaire. At that time, it was dress attire only and as Kansas was a dry state at that time, the members had to bring their own bottle of liquor and were issued a punch card with the number of drinks they could have during the evening. The club had a dining room serving meals of steak dinners, etc., and a dance floor for evening entertainment. They eventually sold the club to Darlene Strickland who happened to have been a previous customer on his pizza route. Later in the 70’s, he would team up with Marvin Pfannenstiel to co-manage the Prairie Dog Golf Course bar and dining. Among his many endeavors, he owned a backhoe and trenching service in which he dug house basements, septic tanks, sewer lines, gas lines, etc., which he would operate until his failing health wouldn’t allow him to work anymore. He was a man of many trades and hard work was something he relished. In his spare time, he enjoyed going to the casino with his wife and in-laws Augie and Anna Unrein, on the bus and attending polka dances with a regular group of area friends. Paul was a proud member of the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree KOC, American Legion, Eagles charter member and VFW. Paul is survived by his wife of 70 years, Clemmie, of their home; sons, Paul, (Leila) Farmington, NM; Thomas, Palco, KS; Ted, (Barbara) St. Louis, MO; and one daughter, Jeanette, (Gary) Lacy, Norton, KS, nine grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren, brother, Robert (Delores) Montoya, and sisters, Minnie Olivas, Juanita Underwood, Dolores, (Bob) Romero, and Dorothy, (Emilio) Romero. He was predeceased by his parents, two brothers, Louis and Fred Montoya and one sister, Ruth Montoya. A memorial has been established (Paul A. Montoia Memorial) and the donations with be shared among St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Norton Amusement Association, and the Norton Senior Center. VISITATION – Friday, October 16, 2020 – 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. PLACE – Enfield Funeral Home – 215 W. Main – Norton, KS ROSARY SERVICE – Friday, October 16, 2020 – 7:00 p.m. PLACE – Enfield Funeral Home in Norton GRAVESIDE SERVICE AND INTERMENT – Saturday, October 17, 2020 – 10:30 a.m. PLACE – Norton Cemetery – Norton, KS MILITARY HONORS – Harmonson-Redd American Legion Post #63 MEMORIAL – Paul Montoia Memorial Fund