age 91, a resident of Laughlin NV since 2011, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 18, at his home in Nevada. He was born in Miami County, Ohio, being the 5th child to the late A.G. Thuma and Maria Sites.

Paul was raised on a small Tipp City farm and was a loving son, brother and father. He was a member of the Christan Church of Frederich and baptized in Arizona. After his school years in Tipp, Paul enlisted in the Armed Forces during the last few months of World War II. Paul was a lifetime Eagles club member.

After the army, he returned home to the farm and his parents where he always felt most comfortable. He worked in small machine shops and started playing fast pitch softball. His love for baseball was as strong as his love of family. He was considered one of the best pitchers around. Paul had two no-hitters and one perfect game on June 23, 1954, for Piqua Milling. While his family and friends would follow his venture to play in the Major Leagues, he never reached that dream. He tried out for the Cincinnati Reds twice.

In 1960, Paul moved to San Bernardino where he played out his fast pitch softball at the ripe old age of 52.

Paul retired in 1983 from the County Civil Service in San Bernardino as a heavy machine operator. Over those years, Paul never lost his love of his Ohio roots and would drive back almost every year in August to visit his two sons, friends and attend the Thuma reunions.

His many fishing trips to Canada with his brother, Gale, were all priceless to Paul. His best friend and companion of 40 years was Miss Charlotte “Charlie” Turner until her death in 2017. He was also preceded in death by brothers Bearl, Gale and Deuard, sisters Esther Kaleve and Madelyn Furlong, nephews “Special Forces” David Kim Thuma and Billy Herman Thuma, great nephew Dwane Allen Thuma, sister-in-law Maxine Merle Webb Thuma, brothers-in-law Carl “Babe” Furlong and Lousi “Louey” Kimpton, first cousin Roy Henry Thuma, Sr., and childhood friend Don Elleman.

Paul is survived by his three loving sons, Jeff and Brad of Nevada and Tracy of California, Sisters-in-law Margo Kaleve and Eilleen Dick Thuma, nieces Sonnie (Steve) Fissel, Becky (Rich) Mason, Sheril (Carey) Brewer, Terry Reck and Sharl Thuma, nephews Danny Furlong, Ritchie Kimpton, Wayne (Maxine Walter’s) Thuma, Ronnie (Penny) Thuma, Craig (Judy) thuma, Chris Bearl Thuma and Gary Deaurd Thuma, three grandsons, Joshua, Matthew and Jayme Thuma, granddaughter Dina Thuma, great nieces Debbie (Ronnie) Jones, Ange (Scott) Muir, Vicki Lynn Thuma, five great tranchildren and one great-great grandchild. Paul will always be remembered for his love of kin and sports.

Paul was laid to rest beside his loving sister Esther and brother-in-law Louey at Mountain View Cemetery in San Bernardino.