Paul Alan Tully

July 15, 1959  - March 13, 2024

As written by his son:

On March 13, 2024, Paul Alan Tully my dad passed away. I got the call around 5:18pm informing me that my dad had died earlier that day. At first, I thought it was some sort of scam, sick joke, or nightmare. Unfortunately, it was neither of those, it was something much worse. It was the truth. And even though the facts were there I still called his phone just hoping and praying that he'd pick up and call me Markers one more time, but he didn't instead I got the cold mechanical voice of his voicemail.

My father was no Saint. In fact, I'd say he was far from it. He had his demon, flaws, would sometimes break promises, lie and make mistakes, but it made him human, and even though he wasn't perfect, he was my dad, and that meant he was the perfect dad for me, flaws and all. I don't know if my dad realized it, but even when he wasn't actively teaching me, he was still teaching me and along with my mom shaped me to be the man I am today. We had our ups and downs, we argued, and didn't see eye to eye on some things (like my tattoos), but there was always love. Those who know my dad know that he was unapologetically himself, and if you didn't like it, then that's too bad. But underneath that rough and tough exterior was a man who cared, was funny, charismatic, strong, wherever he went it always seemed like he would make a new friend, and he knew how to have a good time.

He loved Shania Twain and would dance and sing loud and proud along with the words toMan! I Feel Like A Woman! He also loved fishing, hunting, the Houston Astros (he watched every televised game in the past 5 years) and had so many stories to tell (I think I've heard them all at least 30 times, but I would give anything just to hear them one more time).

His death was sudden and unexpected, but I guess that was just like him. He had a habit of packing up and moving at what felt like the drop of a hat, much to my annoyance. He was a tough man to love, but he was a man that I loved with all my heart. He had a way of pissing you off one moment and it seemed like the next moment he would do or say something that made it hard to stay mad, you couldn't hate the man for very long (though I'm sure I'm biased and there are people who would disagree with me)

For as long as I can remember, he was always making plans for trips to take his boys on. Most of the time, his plans didn't pan out, but I'm happy to say that last June, one of them did. He finally was able to take me to Oregon and show me the places he used to go as a kid when my Nana and Poppa would drive him and his sibling all the way from Houston Texas in their family station wagon to visit my Nana's side of the family in Oregon. A side of my family that for the longest time I'd only ever heard stories of or talked on the phone with, but he was finally able to introduce them to me and I'm glad he did.

My dad was also someone who was always there when I needed him and when I broke both my legs on October 14, 2003, and cried for my dad in the hospital even though he had just gotten off work and not even taken a sip of his first beer took off to drive an hour to be there for me. And if you knew my dad not finishing his beer was a big deal. Unfortunately, I still need my dad I still need to introduce him to my future wife, he still needs to hold my children that I haven't had yet he still needs to be there so I can take care of him.

I always joked that if he wasn't nice to me, I'd stick him in the crappiest old folks’ home I could find, but every time I said that it was a lie. He called me almost every single day, sometimes more than once, except on Sundays because he knew I wouldn't pick up.

On Tuesday, March 12, 2024, around 6:20pm was the last time I spoke to my dad. He was just calling to see how I was doing and tell me that he loved me, which was how most of our phone calls went. It would also be the last time he would lie to me when he said that he'd call me tomorrow when I get off work.

I love you, dad. Rest in peace. I hope you can breathe easy and watch over the our family.   I'm going to miss you.

Paul is survived by his son Mark Tully, son Bryan Tully along with his wife Courtney and grandchildren, Blakely & Easton, and son John Tully along with his grandson, Quentin. He is also survived by his brother, Gary Dean Tully - WHS 1974 (Pat), sister, Terri Lee Tully Gish - WHS 1975 (Stephen) and sister, Linda Tully - WHS 1981, as well as many nephews & nieces.

He is predeceased by his loving parents, Lee Jr & Peggy Tully.

A Celebration of Life will be held on April 20, 2024, from 11:00am - 3:00pm, at Pilsner’s Place Cafe in Alleyton, Texas, 5622 Interstate 10 Frontage Road. Food will be catered by James Coney Island and be served from 12:00pm – 2:00pm. Pilsners will have non-alcoholic beverages available which will be covered, and beer is available for purchase. Please pay by cash or check as Pilsners doesn’t accept credit or debit cards.

His friends and family are invited to share happy pictures and memories and celebrate Paul’s life in the way he would want to be remembered, as a loving and caring man who enjoyed life!

Forever loved, forever missed and forever in our hearts!