Capt. Paul W. McCallister, 55, of Yawkey, WV, answered his last call at 0201 Sunday, December 16, 2018, at CAMC General Division Emergency Room in Charleston.
At the age of 14, Paul started as a Junior Firefighter and served 41 years in Emergency Services here and around the country, including Hurricane’s Florence and Erma. Paul also served on the Board of Directors of both Duval and Lincoln Emergency Services when they merged to form the countywide EMS System. He was an EMS Instructor and mentor to many paramedics. Paul was a Christian and had served as a Chaplain for the KCEAA and most recently serving as a Captain and Shift Commander for Kanawha County EMS doing what he loved best wanting no praise for the many hours worked and the many acts of heroism.
Paul was preceded in death by his dad, Charles McCallister.
He is survived by his wife Megan, children Justin and Haley, parents Vallie (Sam) Cobb, brothers Charles Jr. (Amy) of Ripley, Robert R. (Rita) of Sod, Kerry D. (Darlene) of Yawkey, Paul (Tracey) of Austin, TX, sisters Angel (Steve) Chinn of Alum Creek, Sandra Rea of Sod, Sarah F. Breedlove of Yawkey, Amy, Amanda and Alisa McCallister all of Illinois, and many beloved nieces and nephews who loved their Uncle Paul.
Service will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, December 21, 2018, at McCorkle Freewill Baptist Church, 175 McCorkle Road, Sod, WV, with Pastor Robert McCallister officiating. Burial will follow at Orchard Hills Memory Gardens in Yawkey with Full EMS Honors. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted for the future Paul W. McCallister Scholarship Foundation for EMS/Paramedic Students.
Paul loved to mentor young future medics and was a wonderful teacher. Let this be his legacy.
I just saw this. Paul was a wonderful paramedic. I met and worked with him at St. Francis in the ED, with his previous wife Audrey. Neither of them needed to leave life this early, but he did a great job of taking care of people. Prayers for peace and comfort to his family. He will be missed for sure.
Dear Meghan, I am so sorry for the loss of a very proud, knowledgeable paramedic. I met him all those years ago when he was a volunteer. I knew he was in his field and knew he would never leave. He was my brother in law and my brother in the Lord. Know that I am in total disbelief of our losing such a kind man, and your life mate. If I can be of any help, please know that I am here for you, and all his family.
I am still trying to absorb this loss as both a personal one and a one that will affect EMS in WV as a whole. As usual, there will be ones to take the place of one like him, as there always are. There has to be. Being one of Paul’s Paramedic supervisors so long ago at Cabell County EMS, I can tell you I never felt I had to look over his shoulder too often. Paul , I will miss you. your demise was much too premature.
Dear Megan,
I am so sorry to hear about the death of your husband. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love Kevin
Dear Megan, Please know others share your grief with the tragic loss of your husband. Love, Hugs, Prayers.
our thoughts and prayers go out to the all the family . Paul was a great person and mentor to many people he worked with once again our prayers from tim,clifford and vivian pauley go out to each family member.
Dear Megan,
Our hearts go out to you in the loss of your husband, Paul.
love and prayers,
Joe and Judy
I am so sorry for Paul’s passing and the tremendous void left within the family. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Dearest Megan,
May God be with you and your family. Prayers for you and all in the family. Love Steve
Megan, we do not have adequate words…our hearts break for you. I wish and pray that God will help you through this awful time and that your precious memories will help sustain you. We are so very sorry for your loss honey…we love you and will continue to keep you in our prayers.
I’d know Paul for many years, since I started in EMS with Trans-Med 30 years ago. The world lost a good person this day. Bless his family and coworkers, his presence will be greatly missed but he go on in our hearts.
Megan – We are so sadden on the passing of Paul. We only met him once at your wedding, but we knew he was the one for you. We cannot attend services but you are truly in our thoughts.
Mrs. McCallister,
On behalf of Chief Butcher and the men and women of Collier County EMS we would like to extend our most sincere condolences. We met Paul during his deployment to our area in the aftermath of hurricane Irma, and not only did he carry out his duties exceptionally well but won our hearts and friendships in the process. He’ll always be remembered for his kindness, easy going attitude, professionalism and most of all his pride in being a Mountaineer. Concept he patiently explained to us Floridians.
Again, please accept our condolences.
Tony Camps, Deputy Chief
Collier County EMS
Dear Megan- our hearts go out to you and Paul’s children and family. We only met Paul at your wedding but we knew he was the one for you. We cannot be at his service but our thoughts are on you. We love you.
I went to school with Paul, I learned from him, I was good friends with him, I worked with him, I worked for him, I worked beside him, I laughed with him, I even cried with him, I fished with him, I drank with him, we talked and even argued. We even buried a co-worker together. Not only is there an empty hole in my life, I’m sure there is an empty hole in every life he ever touched. God gained a great man and we lost one. I’m praying for his wife, his family, his friends, and all his co-workers. I promise you he would want us to carry on and not be sad for him.
Nick, Henriette, and I send out our love. We cannot be there in person to say our goodbyes, but please know that we are there in spirit and thinking of you all during this hard time.
Love,
Cara Clonch Viner
Thought, Prayers, and Condolences to the family of Paul W. McCallister. I had the honor and privilege of working along side this great man. Words can not express what I want to say. Rest in peace bubba, till we meet again.
Megan I’m so sorry for your loss.
No words do I have can take the pain away, But what I can do is to pray to our Lord to give you peace and comfort that Paul is with him in heaven and is rejoicing with friends family to his God.