Paul J. Lease, 62, of Sioux City passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2007, at a local hospital.

Services will be 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Grace United Methodist Church, with Pastor Nancy Allen officiating. Visitation will be 3 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., at Christy-Smith Morningside Chapel.

Paul was born on Oct. 29, 1944, in Sioux City, to John and Dorothy (McDougall) Lease. He was raised in Sioux City and attended Sioux City Schools. He graduated from Sioux City East High School in 1963. He later attended Morningside College and obtained his master's degree from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion.

He was a lifelong resident of Sioux City except for his first teaching jobs, which were in Herrick, Ill. and Clinton, Iowa. He came back to Sioux City in 1969 and taught at Woodrow Wilson, retiring in 2001.

Paul was of the Methodist faith. He enjoyed coaching; he was also an East High freshman football coach, track coach and a Central wrestling coach. He enjoyed both youth and adult hockey, skiing, and was an avid reader as well as outings with family. He took exceptional pride in his relationship with his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Sharyne Lease of Sioux City; a daughter, Amber and Brian Bricker of Sioux City; three grandchildren, McKenna, Cale and Arianna Bricker of Sioux City; his mother, Dorothy Lease of Dubuque, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a son, Scott; his father, John C. Lease; and his grandparents.

Memorials are to be directed to the Siouxland Humane Society.