Paul D. Lance, 81, went to be with the Lord on March 24, 2023, surrounded by friends and family. Paul was an avid lover of the outdoors, spending many hours hunting, fishing, and trapping. He loved to spend time on his boat on Lake Erie with friends and family and enjoyed spending hours in the woods hunting.
In 1963, Paul was drafted to the Army from the Ohio State Patrol. He served as a military police K-9 handler and was promoted to Corporal. As Corporal, he became the section chief of the security dog force, training soldiers and their dogs for the Vietnam War. One of Paul’s proudest achievements was the training of his dog Hans, with whom he would patrol the base. Paul was honorably discharged in 1965.
After his Army service, Paul joined the Ohio State Patrol and served as a patrolman. He was discovered to be a skilled machinist and changed careers. He began working for Acme Gridley Automatic Lathes. The call to serve and protect remained with him, and in 1971, he returned to police service as a deputy sheriff with the Summit County Sheriff Department. Paul joined the Village of Hudson police department in 1973 and was acting Chief when Hudson became a city. He retired from the department in 1994 as a Sergeant.
Paul was a lifetime member of many organizations, including the American Legion and the Hudson Fraternal Order of Police Northwest Lodge #123. He held many offices within these organizations and was a cherished member. Paul’s proudest accomplishment was the establishment of the children’s fishing program, Hooked on Fishing, Not Drugs. It became known as Cops and Bobbers: Passport to Fishing. The program was Paul’s pride and joy, as he directed it for many years while inspiring young fishermen and women.
Paul shared 55 wonderful years of marriage with his wife, Mary Anne; loving father of John Edward Lance and Patricia Lance; inspiring grandfather of Elizabeth Volk; cherished great-grandfather of Adahlia Fullingim; caring brother of Ruby Walker (late Thomas) and Joe Lance (Sally); beloved uncle of many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Dortha, and his brother Max Lance.
Family and friends are asked to gather at St. Rita Catholic Church, 32820 Baldwin Road, Solon, OH, 44139, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. Inurnment to follow at All Saints Cemetery. ARRANGEMENTS BY FERFOLIA FUNERAL HOME (330-467-4500).
