Paul A. Blystone, Jr. Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Loving husband, father, and grandfather, Paul A. Blystone O.D. passed away at his home in Bixby, Oklahoma on August 1, 2022. Paul was born September 2, 1936, at Hillcrest Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy (Beckwith) Melling, and her husband Dale. Paul is survived by his wife of 62 years, Judy (Dodson); sister Joani Whipple and husband Peter of Tulsa; niece Erin Siffing of Longmont, CO; son Stuart Blystone, and wife Tiffany, their children Luke, Eva, Aubrey Clark, and Hannah of Jenks; son Philip Blystone and wife Christy, their children Emma and Drew of Tulsa; daughter Camille Rutkauskas, and husband David, their children Calvin and Alaina of Jenks; and daughter Carolyn Archer, and husband Bobby and their children Alexis and Natalie, also of Jenks. Paul grew up in Tulsa graduating from Will Rogers High School in 1954. He loved baseball and became a very good pitcher. Paul attended the University of Tulsa joining the Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) and earned a Bachelor's in Science in Aeronautical Engineering in 1958. Shortly after, he married Judy in Wichita, Kansas in December 1959. Paul joined the Air Force as an officer and trained as a jet pilot flying the T-33 and the B-47. Paul served during the cold war and served in the Strategic Air Command in Louisiana. After the Air Force, Paul worked as an engineer, working on the Space Program in California, and then in Wichita after moving to be closer to family. In Wichita, Paul felt the calling to help other people and be his own boss. He chose Optometry as his new profession and moved the family to Houston, attending the University of Houston and getting his Optometry degree. Paul and Judy then moved the family to Tulsa, OK where he operated his own optometry practice for more than two decades. Paul loved to collect data and after retirement, published a longitudinal research study using the data he had collected in his practice. Paul loved his family dearly and made providing for them and their education his priority. He made sure the family went to church at Kirk of the Hill's Presbyterian on Sunday and had family dinners in the evening. Paul loved the Rocky Mountains, and the family spent many vacations in Colorado, enjoying hiking, skiing, and the beautiful scenery. Paul also loved music, and shared that love with his wife Judy, a professional cellist. Paul made sure to instill music appreciation in his children, taking the kids regularly to the symphony concerts where Judy performed with the Tulsa Philharmonic. Paul also loved radio-controlled airplanes, photography, journaling, and anything to do with astronomy and mankind's reach for the stars. He was especially fond of the "new space race" and our eventual journey to Mars. Finally, Paul loved and adored his golden retrievers, the first was Sunny, whom the kids enjoyed growing up, and finally his most beloved Buddy, who preceded Paul in death just last year. A memorial service will be held at the Chapel at Memorial Park (51st and Memorial in Tulsa) at 2PM on Wednesday, August 10. Viewing will be available beginning at 10AM - 12PM Wednesday at Moore's Southlawn. A reception will follow at Moore's Southlawn in the reception hall. Memorial Park Cemetery Chapel, 5111 S. Memorial Drive, Tulsa, OK Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233

Paul A. Blystone, Jr.

September 2, 1936 - August 1, 2022