A Life of Words

Turns out I wasn’t the only one getting texts the past several months from my lifelong friend Paul Sweitzer every time Astros second baseman Jose Altuve added a hit to his Hall of Fame-caliber résumé.

“I will miss getting text messages from Dad,” Paul’s oldest son Brad shared at Friday’s celebration of life before a long pause to collect himself, “notifying me of every single Jose Altuve base hit as he steadily marches to 3,000 hits – he’s only 800 away.”

Brad’s emotional tribute came during a stirring service at Christ Church in College Station. His memory of receiving those in-game texts brought laughter from those gathered to honor a remarkable father, grandfather, husband, brother, friend and colleague who passed away last Monday. Paul will celebrate his 64th birthday Aug. 24 in heaven with Jesus, his parents Ruth and Clayton, and all the other angels.

I was honored to be in attendance Friday with Paul’s sweet family and many friends and former colleagues from his 38-year career as an attorney in family and civil law, in which he worked to represent the underserved in areas including child support. In addition to Susan, his dear wife of 39 years, Paul leaves a legacy that includes sons Brad, Quinton and Thomas and six beautiful grandchildren who are the little ones of Brad and wife Katherine and Quinton and wife Caitlin.

Paul and I met in first grade at St. Matthew Lutheran School in Houston, which Paul attended through eighth grade before his family moved to La Grange in Central Texas. My family had moved to Conroe, north of Houston, a couple of years earlier halfway through sixth grade in December 1971. Paul and I formed not only our tight friendship, but our Astros-loving bond during those early school years.

I told Paul’s sons how, if not for a chance decision during my first year at St. Matthew in 1966-67, I would’ve never gotten to be best friends with him – or probably even known him or all the other awesome kids in his class. I actually started that year in kindergarten (I had turned 5 the previous February), but just weeks in, the teacher, principal and my parents met and decided I should be promoted to first grade. I’m so thankful that happened.

Susan, an Aggie teacher who’s a couple of years younger, met Paul, a Longhorn, when the two were on summer break back home in La Grange. Paul wound up being outnumbered in the Sweitzer home, as all three of their sons became Aggies – and Brad and Quinton also married Aggies. Even Paul’s sister Amy’s an Aggie! Paul earned his law degree at Texas Tech.

Brad and Quinton told those gathered about growing up with a sports-loving (especially the Astros) dad and how special that was.

“I will always have fond memories of the literally thousands of Astros, Texans and college football games we watched together, always on full volume – that’s the only way you can do it,” Brad said.

During his tribute, Quinton said to laughter: “I think the only sports passion Dad couldn’t pass on to us was his love for Longhorns football.”

As a dad, his sons said, Paul couldn’t have been more involved. “He taught our Sunday school, coached our teams, led us in Boy Scouts, helped us through confirmation in the church, took us camping, and out to the observatory at the airport,” Quinton said.

Brad talked about his father “sacrificing his body” while they played catch in the backyard as the youngster learned pitching mechanics. Paul served in oversight roles in the boys’ youth baseball leagues, as a chaplain on Boy Scout trips and guided all three sons to the rank of Eagle Scout – an exceptional achievement for one family.

In 2012, Paul developed a life-threatening aortic aneurysm, necessitating major heart surgery. During that procedure, he suffered a stroke but came shining through, went back to work and over the next 12 years – what Brad called his dad’s “bonus years” – was blessed in too many ways to count. His sons attribute Paul’s daily positivity to his close relationship with Jesus – a commitment he passed on to his sons.

“My dad taught us so much, whether it was how to be a servant leader, how to be a curious student of history, how to be a great husband and father,” Brad said. “I’m forever grateful to be his son.”

Quinton said one word his younger brother Thomas used to describe their dad was “wise.” I would have to agree. Paul was soft-spoken, gentle and kind, a lifelong learner, and his words were never wasted. Although much of our nearly-daily communication in recent years came via text, we also spoke by phone and had a fulfilling daylong visit when I took him to an Astros-Twins playoff game last fall. It was the only Astros playoff Paul ever had the chance to attend.

Said Quinton of his dad: “He had such a natural respect for all people, regardless of circumstance, in a way that I still can’t fully describe or fully understand. My dad had a love for God and his family, and he loved people.”

The celebration of life was a fitting homage to a guy I’m certain no one ever said a negative word about. If anyone did, they sure weren’t talking about the Paul Keith Sweitzer I knew.

Paul, I know you’ll keep rooting on our Astros from your new heavenly home. And be sure to keep that Altuve hit tally going. I miss you and love you, my friend. ASTROS FOREVER!!  🧡