Paul Lucius English, Sr.

LTC Paul L. English, formerly of Cottondale, AL, passed away on 11 January 2021, at the Elba Nursing Home and Rehab Center, Elba, AL., two days after his 92nd birthday. He will be laid to rest with Military Honors in a private burial service at the National Cemetery, Montevallo, Ala, on the 21st of January 2021.

Heritage Chapel Funeral Home & Cremations, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing.

Paul was born in New Orleans on 9 January 1929 to Lucius L. “Luke” English and Aliene Paul English, but grew up in and always called Elba, Alabama his home. He graduated from Elba High School in 1947 and after a short stint in the U.S. Merchant Marine, entered the University of Alabama. In 1950 he married Tuscaloosa native Marianne Hughes, a fellow student and the love of his life. While pursing a business degree, Paul joined UA’s Army ROTC Cadet Corps. He was a member of The Pershing Rifles and the University’s Rifle Team.

In 1952, with the Korean conflict still smoldering, the Army called Paul thus beginning a distinguished military career spanning more than 22 years which would take him and his family all over the U.S. and the world. In 1974 Paul retired from active duty. His service record includes a number of awards and decorations, including The Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star. But the award he always wore most proudly was the Combat Infantry Badge earned while serving as an advisor to the ARVN in the Mekong delta area of Vietnam, in 1963-64.

After retirement, Paul moved his family back to Alabama. He purchased a home on Lake Wildwood, Cottondale, Alabama. He reentered his beloved University of Alabama, earning a BA and MA. He and Marianne were members and active in Andrews Chapel United Methodist Church. He was also active and held leadership positions in community organizations including Tuscaloosa’s Civitan Club, the Retired Officer’s Association and the Lake Wildwood Homeowner’s Association. Paul always had a number of passions in his life - family, photography, hunting, bird dogs, gardening and Alabama football. He and Marianne opened English Photography in 1977. For the next 25 years they documented weddings, social events and youth sports activities in the Tuscaloosa area.

Paul was preceded in death by Marianne, his wife of 67 years, a daughter, Mary Elaine English, and a brother, Hugh Warren English. He is survived by his sister, Linda English-Holland of Ocala, FL; sons, COL (Ret) Paul L. English, Jr. (Michelle) and Dr. Jeffrey H. English (Elizabeth); grandchildren, Keith English (Tiffany), Luke English, David English, Anne-Marie Poland (Russell), 1LT Michael English (Tabby) and Lauren Marcilliat (Kevin), and eleven great-grandchildren.

The family wants to extend special thanks to Nikki Hall, NHA Executive Director, and the dedicated nursing staff at the Elba Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center for the compassionate, loving care they provided in Paul’s final days. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest that donations be made to Andrews Chapel United Methodist Church, 14192 Keenes Mill Road, Cottondale, AL 35453 or The Fisher House Foundation, which builds comfort homes where military and Veteran’s families can stay free of charge while a loved one is in the hospital.