Paul Leroy Skolaut

February 18, 2019
Paul Leroy Skolaut, 89, was called to God on February 18, 2019. He is survived by his best friend, wife, lover and partner, Mary Ann Carney Skolaut; six children, Mary Birch, Terri Lees (David), Kathi Shaw, Paul Michael Skolaut (Kala), Connie Kisinger (Kirk) and Krista Morrissey (Steve); 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; his sister, Gladys Roller; sisters-in-law, Beverly Skolaut, Sheila Skolaut; and many loving in-laws, nieces and nephews. He goes to join his parents, siblings, daughter, Angela, grandson Nate, son-in-law Mike Shaw. Paul was born in Hoisington, Kansas in 1930, was a Wichita East graduate, a University of Kansas graduate with an Industrial Engineering degree, an ROTC graduate and a Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity member. Upon graduation Paul married the love of his life Mary Ann Carney. He served in the United States Navy as a 2nd Lieutenant JG gunnery officer aboard the USS Brown in the early 1950’s. He returned to Kansas where he moved his family to Great Bend to work in the oil industry until 1969 when he and his business partner wife purchased Hutchinson Pizza Hut. Over the next 21 years they added Emporia and Salina Pizza Huts to their small family business. They sold those in 1990 and retired. They had worked hard all their lives and never had anything or did anything. We are very blessed that they had many years to enjoy their retirement, always together. They moved back to Wichita in 1974 and were very involved in their church and the community. Paul Skolaut was a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, brother-in-law, businessman, and friend. He was baptized into the Catholic faith and remained faithful to God throughout his life. He was a quiet, kind gentlemen and a man of great humility. His philanthropy and giving nature was intentionally quiet and unnoticed. He was a loving sweet man and good human. There will be a rosary on Friday, February 22, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. A Funeral Mass will be held at the church on Saturday, February 23 at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be sent to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, the Lord’s Diner and Guadalupe Clinic. Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.
On behalf of the entire McPherson family, we send our love and prayers to all of you. We hope you find peace and comfort from each other and from friends in days ahead.
Mary Ann, Mary and Family–My thoughts and prayers are with you as you cope with Pauls death by remembering his wonderful and full life. I was honored to know him as a great SigEp and Jayhawk! He was always a caring and sincere gentleman. Dale Seuferling
We will miss you Paul!
Dear family,
Sending many healing prayers to you all. Uncle Paul had the best laugh ever and such great stories to tell. I treasure all the family times spent together between Great Bend and Hoisington for Fourth of July and Labor Day picnics and parades. Stay strong and recall all the wonderful memories made. Be Skolaut proud!
My heart goes out to my whole huge family right now, especially Aunt Mary Ann and my Skolaut cousins. Hugs to all who are missing Paul as I am. I wish I could have made it to town.
When I was a teenager, just learning to drive, and wanting a job, Uncle Paul had me drive him, in his car, to Hutch for a day to work at the Pizza Hut there. I wasnt trained for much, so I mostly just cleaned. The best part was spending the day with Uncle Paul, telling me all about the benefits of his Volvo. He also talked about life. I think that day gave me more time than than I ever spent with any of my uncles. I have always been thankful for that experience. He was a great man!