Paul Gibson Singleton Jr.

90, of Tampa, died Sunday, August 31, 2014, surrounded by his family. He was born on August 6, 1924, in Indianapolis to Paul G. Singleton, Sr. and Mary Louise Clark Singleton. Paul was preceded in death by his loving wife of 59 years, Mary Elizabeth Stallings Singleton, his parents, and his younger brother Robert Franklin Singleton and his wife Dolores Holt Singleton. Paul is survived by his three children Lauren Singleton Segers (Thomas) of Tampa, Paul G. Singleton III (Nina) of Millburn, N.J., and Robert Mitchell Singleton (Krista) of Tampa; his four grandchildren Alex Segers, Spencer Segers, Katie Singleton, and Paul Singleton; his wife’s brother Richard Stallings and his wife Lou; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. Paul attended Gorrie Elementary School, Wilson Junior High School, and H. B. Plant Senior High School, graduating in 1942. He served his country during WWII as a 1st lieutenant and pilot in the 9th Army Air Force. At war's end, he resumed his education at the University of Florida, graduating in 1949 with a BSBA degree. He was president of the Florida Alpha chapter of Phi Delta Theta. Duty called again and Paul served as a pilot and flight instructor with the 12th Air Force in Miami during the Korean War, attaining the rank of captain. He and Mary married in 1951 at First Methodist Church in downtown Tampa. Paul was known for his honesty, integrity, and humility, and his willingness to do business on a handshake. He began his banking career in 1949 as a loan clerk at the Florida National Bank in Miami. He returned to Tampa in 1953 to work for the Peninsula State Bank as head bookkeeper, working his way up through virtually every position before becoming president in 1970. Paul was also chairman of the Tampa, Largo, and Lake Wales regions with the Atlantic Bancorporation, where he became a Regional Vice President and Director. When that bank was acquired by First Union, he was Senior VP for Business Development. He retired in 1988. Paul was a member of Kiwanis since 1968, serving as president of the Palma Ceia club before joining the Downtown club. He received the Doyle E. Carlton Award as their outstanding Kiwanian of 1990 and in 2004, he received the George Hixson Award, a high honor bestowed by Kiwanis International. Paul was a member of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla for many years. Since the early 1950s, Paul was an active member of Palma Ceia United Methodist Church, where he served on many committees and as lay leader. An avid photographer, Paul amassed a collection over the years of over 9,000 photographs. He and his wife showed their children the country, taking them to 46 of the lower 48 states on family camping trips to many national parks and historical sites. In retirement, they traveled to Africa, Alaska, Canada and Europe and took their children and grandchildren with them to London and Paris. Paul was a member of Flamingo Wing of the Order of Daedalians, an organization of retired and active-duty military flyboys. The family especially wishes to thank the excellent staff at the Canterbury Tower Health Center for the tender loving care they gave their Captain and his family at the end of his life. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 3, 5-7 p.m. at Blount & Curry Funeral Home, 605 S. MacDill Avenue., 813-876-2421. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Sept. 4, at 10:00 a.m. at Palma Ceia United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, friends may honor Paul with a contribution to the Alzheimer's Association, Palma Ceia United Methodist Church, or to a charity of your choice.Arrangements under the direction of Blount & Curry FH-Macdill Chap, TAMPA, FL.