Douglas Raymond Paradeis

Douglas Raymond Paradeis, 64, passed away Tuesday, November 19, 2013 in his Houston, Texas home.  He was born November 1, 1949 in Mitchell, South Dakota to Gerald Lawrence Paradeis and Virginia Mae (Welchert) Paradeis.  The family lived on a small rented farm near Farmington, South Dakota, where Doug began attending Catholic school in 1956.  In January of 1957 the family moved to a dairy farm near Rice, Minnesota. The property was a beautiful peace of farm land with a small creek running through its pasture and a small country school located on the South corner, Doug finished the 1957 school year there.  He graduated elementary school in Rice and than graduated Royalton High School in 1968.  While growing up on the farm, Doug became the regular morning and evening milker helping his Dad daily.  During his high school years he loved the spring tradition of late night flashlight fishing with a spear, during the yearly sucker spawning run; his dad smoked the fish for the family to enjoy.   He spent his summers in High School working at the neighbors Christmas Tree Farm, coming home each evening painted from head to toe in green, but loving the hard work. After high school, Doug attended Wilmer Vocational Technology Institute in Wilmer, MN, earning a degree in Electronics Technology in 1970. He spent the next couple of years working at a Packing company near Wilmer.  In 1974, another Texas oil boom was in progress,  Doug packed his bags and headed to Houston, following his older brother. From 1974 to 1979, while working a full time job, he attended night school at the University of Houston studying Electrical Technology and Power distribution Systems.  During the past nearly forty years, Doug has worked for several companies in Houston, Texas, including Toshiba International, M & I Electric, Brown & Root, to name just a few.  Doug loved his family and was very devoted, especially to his Godchildren.  He never missed a birthday, a holiday, a graduation or other special event without sending his Godchildren a gift, a card or both.  Doug loved old country music (to the chagrin of some of his siblings), fishing (especially ice fishing), bowling, taking long walks, and traveling.  He was known for packing up, grabbing some friends and GOING; all over the country and the world.  He was a quite and reserved man with a wonderful sense of humor.  Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald Lawrence Paradeis and Virginia Mae (Welchert) Paradeis and sister, Jane Paradeis.  He is survived by his brother, Terry Paradeis & Dottie of Blue Springs, Missouri; sister, Patricia Furst of Rice, Minnesota; brother, William Paradeis & Kay of Rice, Minnesota; brother, Martin Paradeis & Sue of Merrifield, Minnesota; sister, Margaret “Peg” & Bob Wimmer of Royalton, Minnesota; sister, Joan Paradeis & Ellen Darby of Wichita Falls, Texas; sister, Jacky Drewry & Greg of Oostburg, Wisconsin; numerous nieces, nephews and other loving family members and friends.  A brief visitation will be held in the chapel at Unity Funeral Home 10:30 A.M., Friday, November 22, 2013 followed by an 11:30 A.M. Funeral Mass at Notre Dame Catholic Church (where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus), 7720 Boone Road, Houston, Texas 77072.  Doug’s ashes will be transported back to Minnesota for another visitation and service to be held at Immaculate Conception Church, 130 1^st Ave NE, Rice, MN, Visitation at 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, November 27, 2013 with a Funeral Mass to follow at 11:00.         

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