Remembering Paul

Paul Alvin Closius
September 30, 1946 – March 31, 2025

Paul Alvin Closius was born in Denver, Colorado, on September 30, 1946. He got interested in electronics in junior high school and went to Colorado State University Pueblo (Southern Colorado State College) for an Associate and Bachelor of Science degrees in Electronics Technology. He worked part time at two radio stations as engineer and announcer. He even had his own Country Western music program.

In his first year of college, Paul gave his life to Jesus Christ. He wanted his God-given skill to be counted for eternity, so he applied to JAARS in Waxhaw, North Carolina, where they needed radio repair technicians. Paul’s motto for life was “Only one life, ’twill soon be past, only what’s done with Christ will last.”

Paul then went to Bible school in Colorado. After a technical evaluation by JAARS, they requested two years of work experience, so he returned to Denver and got a job repairing two-way radios for police, fire trucks, construction, and repeaters. Then he returned to JAARS for another evaluation and passed. Paul stayed at JAARS for orientation and was then assigned to Colombia, South America. In 1972, he went to Mexico for Jungle Camp training where he met Grace, and they were married that November. 

Part of their preparation took them to Spanish language school for eight months in Costa Rica. During their eleven years in Colombia, Daniel was born in 1973, Jonathan, in 1975, and Trina Rose, in 1978. They returned to the States in 1984. Paul and Grace were invited to serve at JAARS in 1986. Paul served in the radio department and later in the International Media Services (IMS). 

In 2002, Paul and Grace were invited to serve in Ghana, West Africa. Paul trained a Ghanian in two-way radios, and Grace taught English as a second language to local French-speaking Bible translators. They enjoyed that experience so much that they were pleased when Ghana Institute of Linguistics, Literacy, and Bible Translation invited them back in 2003, 2004, and 2006. In 2006, Paul enabled the Gonja language group to record their entire New Testament on an MP3 player to allow them to have a Bible study together, including those who weren’t able to read. They both served in 2010 for two weeks on a short-term mission trip to Ghana with a missionary organization called Branches of the Vine, fulfilling their promise to Evelyn Davis to hold a prayer retreat overseas. During that retreat, two language communities expressed their reconciliation by washing each other’s feet.

For hobbies, Paul enjoyed taking pictures of clouds, which were published in a book. He also made a CD entitled Be at Peace with Greg Leimer, which blessed many people. Paul played his recorder and Greg, guitar. Paul also enjoyed playing in church and at the Waxhaw Farmers Market. He and Grace served with Child Evangelism Fellowship at the Waxhaw Elementary School and Paul enjoyed participating in Vacation Bible School by playing his recorder.

Paul and Grace returned to JAARS where Paul served again in IMS. Paul hoped so much to serve with Wycliffe and JAARS for 50 years, but eventually he was not strong enough to make it to the office. After serving for 48 years, he and Grace retired in 2018.

After retiring, Paul worked on a large audio project with Ray Rising and Willis Ott, selecting scriptures about the life of Jesus and other teachings that Indigenous people could understand. Paul recorded these in several languages using the audio script that Faith Comes By Hearing had prepared. He remastered the finished CDs for Ray Rising to distribute among radio stations in Peru and possibly Colombia.

Paul and Grace enjoyed living at the Waxhaw Creek Apartments on the JAARS campus for almost five years. When Paul no longer qualified for independent living, God led them to an assisted-living community at Sunflower Springs. Everyone there came to love Paul for his beautiful smile and for enriching their dining-room experience by playing the piano while they waited for their meals. Paul had lots of fun interacting with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; they were all dear to his heart. Everyone enjoyed his corny jokes. Whenever he went to the doctor’s office, they would ask, “Before we discuss your health, we need to hear your latest joke.” Paul enjoyed his retirement years until March 31, 2025, when he passed away from complications of an autoimmune disease called myasthenia gravis.

Paul is survived by his lovely wife, Grace, and their sons Daniel (Adrienne) in Hendersonville, NC, and Jonathan (Rachel) in Indian Trail, NC, and by daughter Trina Rose Plyler in Waxhaw, NC. Paul’s brother, Jim; sister, Joan Price (Norm); and her daughter, Brianna Spencer Price in Colorado. Grace’s brothers, Richard Broersma (Joan) in Zeeland, MI; and Sherwin Broersma (Nancy) in Cadillac, MI. Sister-in-law Kathy Jordan in Arizona. And Grace’s several nieces and nephews. Grandchildren: Alexis Plyer, Jeremiah Closius (Kinley), Josiah Closius, Joshua Closius, Joy Closius, and Aubrey McIntosh. Niece Katherine Johnson (Dan) with Kai and Tristin. Nephew Tim Price (Jeannie). Great grandchildren: Harmony Washington, Melody Washington, and Leilani Huntly. Paul was preceded in death by his granddaughter Autumn Plyler in 2015.