Calhoun City Schools has lost a loyal friend and employee.

Paul Campbell, better known in Jacket Country as “Mr. Paul,” passed away Friday, April 20.

He served as custodian in the school system for 56 years, and rarely missed a day of work during his tenure.

In doing so, the Get Ready Achieve Dream (GRAD) committee named its perfect attendance award in his honor.

While employed by CCS, Mr. Paul served over 25,000 students, and a dozen principals by his count.

He began his career at Calhoun Junior High (now the site of Calhoun Middle School) back in 1956. It was noted that Mr. Paul’s philosophy was to arrive early and stay late.

Michele Taylor, Calhoun City Schools Superintendent, will greatly miss Mr. Paul.

“Mr. Paul touched the lives of so many students and staff members during his tenure,” said Taylor. “I remember his helpfulness even when I was a student at Calhoun Junior High; Calhoun City Schools has been blessed to have such a dedicated leader and role model.”

Taylor went on to say that Mr. Paul led by example and his work ethic will be remembered by everyone at Calhoun.

“His work ethic and positive attitude were attributes that we hope to instill in all our students and staff,” said Taylor. “Our hearts are heavy; we will miss Mr. Paul tremendously.”

Posts appear exactly as they did on the Calhoun Times Facebook Page Monday morning. The page can be seen at The Calhoun Times Facebook page.

- Alejandro Medina - He was my best friend, and the last time I saw him was at my 5th grade honors graduation thing. And he won’t get to see me graduate next year, I remember we used to sit and eat lunch together, and he always talked to me about staying in school and staying out of trouble, he was a special person to me, I basically grew up with him since I met him during my 1st grade year and made a strong friendship. We love you and we miss you mr Paul!

- Bonnie Wilkinson - Prayers to the family!! My son was in pre-k last year and on his calendar was Mr. Pauls bday! I remember asking my son who was Mr Paul and he went on to tell me about him. I knew then even though I have never met him personally that he was a very special person!!

- Justina Kinsey - my husband worked with Mr. Paul and said he was avery good man and would do anything for anyone he will surly be missed.

- Billy Thompson - There is still great people in this world and he is the perfect example

- Lynn Anthony - Yes, he will be missed...Heaven has gain another angel!!!

- Ashlie Franklin Hyde - Oh my how sad such a sweet man. Always smiling in the halls at school. His brother use to deliver my great granny’s medicine and her make up from Palmer drug store. I think his name was willie. Another sweet man that also always wore a smile. Those were the good ole days.

- Seroni Jones McConnell - my fb post Saturday morning: Just got word that a very sweet man whom I will all ways remember has gone to be with the Lord Mr. Paul Campbell. He took care of us young people at Calhoun Jr High he was soooo sweet y’all. Yes Tricia he would always give us candy and I do mean lots of it!!! I remember handing him my plate one day in the lunchroom and he gave me a brown bag filled with candy, told me to share it with others, and not to let the teachers see me with it. Not only did he give us candy, he talked to us and instructed us not to act up in class/school and if he heard anything the teachers about us cutting up, he wasn’t going to give us any more candy until we got our act together. I will miss seeing him sitting on the porch with that beautiful smile on his face as I passed by to go see about my dad. He will be missed but never forgotten praying for the Campbell family as they mourn the loss of their love one.

- Tina Lee Lovell - Theres not much that can be added to Mr. Pauls own living testimony.Everyone who had the honor of even briefly crossing paths with this man will never be able to say in words just what a great friend he was to all of us.Just want to be sure and remind people,that not only was he a kind,and caring man,but also took on the task of fixing,cleaning up,everything that needed fixed,or cleaned in the entire school,and back in the days...He was it.And always,always, with a permanent smile!

- Julie Carroll Stephens - A gentle, quiet spirit...truly the kindest and most humble man I have ever known.

- Shunda Austin - Uncle Paul touched the lives of everyone he came in contact with. He was truly an inspiration to us all!

- Tania Nesbitt-Evans - Mr. Paul was always doing something, I never seen him simply ‘holding up a wall’ like so many employees these days! And it seemed no matter the situation, he quickly came up with a way to fix it. I remember two things distinctly, one was when I had scraped my knee during PE and he came right out of his pocket with a bandaid, I didnt even have to go to the nurse. Another instance was one day I had broken a shoestring on my new Keds, and I was soo upset because it kept slipping and making a blister on my heel, well Mr. Paul found some white string and relaced my shoe, good as new! (I was in 6th grade at the time) I was soo happy! He was a great man, amd will be missed by all who knew him!