Paul Kaelson Tatum

Paul Kaelson Tatum was born on March 16, 1993. He died Tuesday, May 18, 2010 as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was a junior at Jesuit College Prep, was being actively recruited as a college rower, and was an exceptional student with a rare gift in computers. His many athletic and academic accomplishments did not compare to his extraordinary talents as a son, brother, friend and teammate. He was known for his contagious smile, delightful wit, endless creativity, and habit for invention. He was pursuing a patent for his latest encryption code and was forming a startup to develop it. Paul’s confidence and optimism were always evident in his willingness to help others whether installing a teammate’s battery or helping teachers with outside school tasks. His favorite moments involved his friends who gathered at his home to play pool, BBQ, and swim. His dream was to go to college and study the things that he taught himself at night and on weekends. His enthusiasm, passion and happiness in simply living life touched all who knew him. His impish grin, sparkling eyes and joyful spirit will be sorely missed. Paul is survived by his parents, Mary Ann Little Tatum and John Corley Tatum, Jr, and his two brothers, John Corley Tatum III and Thomas Lewis Tatum, his grandfather and step grandmother, John and Gloria Little of Emory, his uncle, Jay Little of Seattle, 17 Kaelson cousins and 33 Kaelson second cousins, as well as 8 Lewis cousins and 5 Tatum cousins. His grandmother, Donna Kaelson Little, and his grandparents, John Corley Tatum and Joan Lewis Tatum of Corsicana predeceased him. The celebration of life will take place at 2 o’clock, Sunday, May 23 in the Terry Center at Jesuit College Preparatory School, 12345 Inwood Road in Dallas. The family asks that those who attend wear colorful and playful ties to the service as Paul himself would have done. The family will receive guests briefly before the service. All are invited to a reception at Paul’s home, 6617 Northaven Road, following the service. In lieu of flowers, the Paul Kaelson Tatum Scholarship Fund has been established to help deserving students with a special interest in innovation in science. Please send c/o Jesuit College Preparatory School, 12345 Inwood Road, Dallas, Texas 75244.