On Tuesday, December 22, 2020, J Paul Lehman, loving husband and father of two children passed away peacefully at age 94.
Paul was born July 7, 1926, in Harrisonburg, Virginia, to Daniel and Ada (Neff) Lehman. On June 25 ,1949, he married Erma Malinda Yoder of Newport News, Virginia. While raising his young family, he worked in various capacities including chicken farmer, milk delivery man, and bookstore owner. From 1964 to 1973 Paul and Erma served as dorm parents at Good Shepherd School in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. They returned to Africa in 1979, this time in the role of host couple at the Mennonite Guest House in Nairobi, Kenya until 1990.
Paul always made time for children, creatively engineering fun. He is remembered for his adventuresome spirit, humor and quirky sayings. He loved hiking, model airplanes, ice cream, mowing grass and singing. In his retirement years he volunteered at the Williamsburg Christian Retreat Center. Throughout his life Paul was dedicated to his local church.
He is survived by his wife Erma, and children Wayne Lehman and Lois (Lehman) Blosser, six grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers; Mark Lehman and James Lehman. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, as well as an older brother, Harold, and sister Elsie.
A private graveside service was held Saturday, December 26, 2020 in the Warwick River Mennonite Cemetery.
Arrangements by W J Smith & Son Funeral Home.