Merle James Paulson

Merle James Paulson

Merle James Paulson, 69, of Newton, died of lung cancer Tuesday (Sept. 22, 1998) at Presbyterian Manor in Newton.

Paulson was born June 29, 1929, in Newton, the son of Emmett Peder and Lillian (Rhoades) Paulson. They preceded him in death.

He was a former student of the Lone Star School in Butler County, Potwin School District and Newton High School. He graduated from Phoenix High School in Tempe, Ariz., in 1948.

He attended Ottawa University, then transferred to Emporia State University where he received a bachelor of arts degree in 1953 and a bachelor of education in 1954. He attended the University of Kansas for graduate work and while there, he was a member of the National Collegiate Players, an honorary dramatic fraternity.

He taught at Lawrence High School, Liberty High School in Pratt, Mt. Hope High School, Kincaid High School and Whitewater High School. In 1962, he graduated from the University of Denver with a master of library science degree. He began his career in library science as a periodical librarian at the University of Wichita Ablah Library and was promoted to serial librarian. In 1968, he became the head of the acquisitions department. His retirement in 1994 came just prior to the library's acquisition of its millionth book. He was at the library 32 years.

While at Wichita State University he was a member of the Faculty Senate from 1966 to 1968. He chaired the Library Tenure and Promotion Committee from 1988 to 1991. He held professional membership with the American Library Association, Mountain Plain Library Association and the Kansas Library Association.

He is survives by three sisters, Phyllis Roberts of Newton, Grace Fick of Tulsa, Okla., and Dorothy Strain of Manteca, Calif.; two brothers, Virgil "Chuck" Paulson and Boyd J. "Cotton" Paulson, both of Newton; and 26 nieces and nephews. He also was preceded in death by two brothers, Ronald Peder Paulson and Hubert Lee Paulson; and two sisters, Pauline LaMons and Fern Kennell.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Kirby-Morris Funeral Home in El Dorado. Interment will follow at Sunset Lawns Cemetery in El Dorado.

Memorials has been established with Ablah Library at Wichita State University in care of Kirby-Morris Funeral Home, 224 W. Ash, El Dorado, KS 67042.