Paul Ray Marrs was born on November 24, 1955, in Deadwood, South Dakota to Ray and Alice Marrs. Paul was the oldest of four siblings, Annette, Dan, and Kari, and grew up on the family ranch on Whitewood Creek, South Dakota where he lived for his entire life.
Paul started his education in a one-room country school and then continued in Sturgis, graduating from Sturgis Brown High School in 1974. He attended Black Hills State College after high school, graduating in 1979 with a B.S. in Education. Paul worked at Wheeler Lumber during this time, learning the finer points of welding from his mentors. After graduating from college, Paul taught welding at Western Dakota Technical Institute for 18 years and then “retired” to full-time ranching with his father and brother.
During his youth, Paul participated in 4-H, showing cattle and judging livestock, and winning numerous awards and trips. He also loved working on machinery, welding, and building equipment.
Paul attended the Berean Baptist Church in Lead, SD, with his family and trusted Jesus to be his Savior at a young age. As a young adult, the family started attending the Nisland Independent Community Church. Realizing that he had difficulty talking to people, Paul asked God to loose his tongue so that he could serve Him more effectively. As his faith grew and his gift of speaking increased, Paul became actively involved in many areas of service for the Lord. He greatly enjoyed visiting other churches to tell people what God was doing through the Gideon ministry. He became a leader in the Nisland church, serving on the church board as Chairman for several years. Paul was also on the board of Steer, Inc. for many years and always loved visiting with the missionaries at the Missions Conference.
Paul married his beloved “Miss Linda” on October 19, 1991. Paul and Linda established their home on the ranch and welcomed their daughter, Kay, and sons, James and John, to their family. Next to Jesus, his family was the most important thing to Paul. He spent many hours at dance recitals, music recitals, 4-H events and fairs, pageants and loved every minute. Paul was incredibly proud of his family, recently adding a daughter-in-law, Emily, and loved them without reservation. He was most happy when the entire family was together.
Paul was called home by the Lord on February 10, 2024. He will be dearly missed by his wife, Linda; his children, Kay, James (Emily), and John, family, and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Nisland Independent Community Church, Nisland, SD, at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 15, 2024.
A memorial has been established to the Gideons International and Rainbow Bible Ranch.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com.
