Paul Catterton, 73, of Piggott, died Thursday, Sept. 30, 2004, at the Medical Center in Memphis.

He was born March 26, 1931, in Sumner, Ill., the son of the late Nathan and Pearl Marie Jones Catterton.

He married Melva Ann Vaughn on Sept. 28, 1957. They had three sons.

He received a bachelor of science degree in history from the University of Maryland and masters degrees in social studies, administration - principal, and administration - superintendent from Arkansas State University.

He had twenty years of active duty in the Air Force and retired in 1969 with 20 years of active duty.

Catterton taught junior high social studies for 17 and a half years in the Piggott Schools.

He was a member of the Hitt's Chapel General Baptist Church. He produced the church bulletin and newsletter for several years and filmed and photographed significant events in church life. He enjoyed sending birthday and anniversary greetings.

In the community, Mr. Catterton was an active member of the VFW Post 4517 in Piggott and a life member of Disabled Veterans Association. He was also a member of the Retired Enlisted Association of Paragould and an active member of the AARP.

He was a celebrated Veteran and received several awards for his years of service. In May of 1969, he received the Outstanding Instructor Award from the Air Force; on July 4, 2003, he received the Patriotic Citizen Award from local VFW Post 4517 for daily flag display; and in March of 2004 he received an award for 6,250 hours of outstanding volunteer service to veterans from the VAHS in Memphis. He will be missed by those he served and loved.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his step-mother, Nola Catterton Hunt; one brother, William Catterton; and one sister, Mary Virkey.

He is survived by his wife, Melva Ann Catterton; three sons, Paul Catterton Jr. of Washington, Mo., Nathan Catterton of Richmond, Va., and Sterling Catterton of Marmaduke; two daughters-in-law, Katrina Catterton and Lisa Catterton; three grandchildren, Ben, Kristel and Ashley; five sisters, Audrey Phillips of Claremont, Ill., Sarah Allen and Jean Green, both of Bridgeport, Ill., Clara Mae Byrd of Lawrenceville, Ill., and Evelyn Gowen of Louisville, Ill.; one brother, Charles Catterton of Sumner, Ill.; and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Monday, Oct. 4, 2004, in the Hoggard and Sons Chapel with Rev. Charles Richardson, Rev. Shawn Parker, Rev. Anthony Dowdy and Rev. Paul Catterton Jr. officiating. Burial followed in the Piggott Cemetery with full military service.

Hoggard and Sons Funeral Home of Piggott was in charge of the arrangements.