Virgil Lee Pauli, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother, passed away on December 21, 2023. He was born at his home at 729 NE 14th Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on June 9, 1928. He was preceded in death by his father Joseph Laudwig Blesch (aka Joseph Christopher Pauli); his mother Comellia Pearl Laxton; his younger brother Billy Gene; his older sister Peggy Jo Payne; and his first wife Barbara Gail (Chasey) Gillette, after 15 years of marriage. He is survived by his second wife whom he married on July 11, 1987 Gail Joycelyn (Parker) (Thomas); daughter Kirsten Noelle, her husband Jack R. Voss and their two children, Jacqueline Noelle and Robert Lee; son Christopher Lee; son Kevin Christian, his wife, Emily (Cox) and his two sons, Luke Rhodes and Wyatt Christian; daughter Karin Susannah and her husband, Matthew Witte; and a younger sister June Smith.

He was known as "Lee" by those close to him. He was by nature a quiet man who only spoke if there was something important to say, though he could be mischievous and loved a good joke. Never comfortable being the center of attention, he reserved his thoughts for those closest to him. He was a generous man who could not say "no" to anyone he felt was in genuine need. He stoically raised his four children (ages 5 to 12) by himself for 6 years following his first wife Barbara's tragic death in a car accident in 1981 before remarrying in 1987. He deeply loved his second wife "Joyce", his country, raising fruit trees, and his pets (lots of pets!). He enjoyed watching OU football and learning about science and about world events and history, particularly later in life as he was disabled with neuropathy making it incredibly difficult for him to walk (though he never gave up!).

Lee was proud to have served in the Army Engineers in Korea during WWII and the Army Medics in Taejon, Korea during the Korean War. He attended the University of Oklahoma on the GI Bill and received a Bachelor's Degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Oklahoma in 1956. He worked for the Federal Bureau of Land Management in Snyder, TX, Midland, TX, Hobbs, NM, New Orleans, LA, Oklahoma City, 0K, Billings, MT, Washington, DC and finally, Tulsa, OK. He loved serving his country via his job and took full retirement at age 75, with final retirement at age 81 from part time work.

He remained involved in the community until his death. He was proud to be a Life Benefactor Member of the NRA, a life member of the VFW and the American Legion, a member of the Orphan Train Historical Society of America (as his father was an Orphan Train Rider), a volunteer for the Tulsa SPCA and the Tulsa Police Department, an Elder for St. Andrews Presbyterian church, and a member of College Hill Presbyterian Church.

Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at College Hill Presbyterian Church, 712 S Columbia Ave, Tulsa, OK 74104.