Paul Warden Basinger, devoted husband, loving father and beloved grandfather, passed away on June 27, 2024 at the age of 82. He was a dearly loved and highly respected man by all who knew him. We were all blessed by having him in our lives and he will be missed by all. Born on October 29, 1941 in Hackett, Arkansas, Paul was the middle child of his family of four brothers and two sisters. He grew up on a farm where he developed his strong work ethic and wholesome values. As a young man growing up in Hackett, he and best friend, Coopie Rathbun rode their beloved horses, Smokey and Roxie, everywhere together.
Paul is survived by his beloved wife of 37 years, Dena; his two children, Nicole (Derek) Taylor and Robert (Mavis) Tom; six grandkids, Amy (Ben) Brock, Aaron Lawson, Baylee (Victor) Jurado, Isaiah Tom, Nick Taylor and Zach Taylor; two great grandkids and a sister, Deanna (Clyde) Smith. In addition to family, he had many lifelong friends, a loving church family and many more that will miss him. He is preceded in death by his father, Ross Basinger, his mother, Alberta Lovell Basinger, his brothers Billy Ross, Jerry, Larry, and Lynn Basinger and his sister, Linda Kay Smith.
He earned his undergraduate degree from Arkansas Tech in Russellville in Science and his Masters in Education Administration from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He lived in Kansas City, Missouri for twenty-one years, where he began his career as a 10th grade biology teacher in the Kansas City public school system at Wyandotte High School. He went on to work for Dana Corporation for twenty years. He purchased a farm in Hartford Arkansas, where he spent the remainder of his life farming, raising cattle, fishing, gardening, enjoying his family and serving the Lord in his church, Faith Chapel in Hartford. He also owned and operated an auto parts store with his daughter, Nicole in Spiro Oklahoma for twelve years until his retirement at the age of 64.
Paul loved to be outdoors. He spent so many days of his life fishing and camping with friends and family. He found great joy in spending time fishing with his buddies on area lakes. He loved his farm where he enjoyed his horses and cows, growing his garden and working in his shop. Being an accomplished educator, he also had a love for literature and history and teaching people. He was the strongest, kindest, wisest, most compassionate man. He was a true servant of God who led his life by example. There are not enough words to describe the great man he was. He will be remembered for his strong faith, love of teaching, fishing and farming and his impact he had on so many lives.
Funeral service will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 2 at Faith Chapel in Hartford with burial at Old Union Cemetery under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood. Viewing will be Monday from 2 – 7 p.m. at the funeral home, where the family will visit with friends from 5 – 7 p.m.
Pallbearers will be Nick Taylor, Zach Taylor, Aaron Lawson, Isaiah Tom, Donald Baxter and Ben Brock. Honorary pallbearers will be Hoy Turner, Tommy Johnson and Ron Sadoski.
To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.
