Korver, Clayton Paul "Paul" 1927-2020

KORVER, DECOOK, THOMPSON

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:37

Mr. Clayton Paul Korver, age 92, of Lincoln, Nebraska, formerly of Orange City, passed away on Tuesday, June 2, 2020, at the Saint Elizabeth Medical Center in Lincoln.

There will be a funeral service on Saturday, July 11, at 11:00am, at the Trinity Reformed Church in Orange City. The Rev. Dr. Brain Keepers will officiate. Interment will follow the service at the West Lawn Cemetery in Orange City. Arrangements are with the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City.

Clayton Paul, who would later become known as Paul, was born on July 22, 1927, in Orange City, the third child of William George and Anna Birdella (De Cook) Korver. He grew up in Orange City and graduated from the Orange City High School. He enlisted in the United States Navy on his eighteenth birthday. In 1946, while stationed in Dallas, Texas, he met the love of his life, Anita Thompson.

Following his honorable discharge in 1947, he enrolled at Northwestern Junior College in Orange City. He and Anita were united in marriage on June 15, 1948, in Dallas. They briefly made their home in Orange City before returning to Texas where Paul worked with his father-in-law at J.D. Tool, Dahlgren Manufacturing, and Western Grinding.

Paul’s interests and abilities related to machining and technology lead him to open his own business, Korver Tool, in Dallas, in 1964. In 1970, Paul began working for Semi-Tech, an established optical company that made parts for grinding lenses and contacts, and in 1975, he became a partner in that company. Because of his success at Semi-Tech, he was able to establish his own bio-medical manufacturing company in Dallas, Med-Tec, in 1982. Ten years later, he moved Med-Tec to Orange City, where he and his family lived until the late 1990’s. His son, Clayton, worked with Paul at Med-Tec and eventually took over operation and ownership of the business. Throughout his career, he trained a number of apprentices, mentored many, and developed numerous new ideas and products, many of which he held patents.

His retirement years were spent in Lincoln where Paul and Anita were often visited by their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Their beautiful home hosted many Christmas and other family gatherings. Although he was no longer involved in daily business activities, Paul (caringly known as “G-Pop”), still enjoyed talking with his boys, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren about their new ideas, current projects, and future endeavors. He found relaxation in spending time outdoors, specifically gardening. Paul provided many hours giving guidance and encouragement to his youngest son, Chris, as he pursed his own business interests. He also spent many hours at Zermatt Tool, a machine shop near Lincoln, co-founded and co-owned by his son Kelvin, offering his expertise and knowledge to the young machinists who work there.

Mr. Korver is survived by his wife, Anita, of Lincoln; three sons, Kelvin Korver, and his wife, Ardith, of Adams, Nebraska; Clayton Korver, and his wife, Debra, of Orange City; and Christopher Korver, of Lincoln; ten grandchildren, Kristin, and her husband, Darin Stephens; Sarah, and her husband, Thomas Hollman; Megan, and her husband, John Demma; Justin Korver, and his wife, Brooke; Christian Korver, and his wife, Aímee; Devin De Young, and his wife, Megan; Eugene Sanderson, and his wife, Jessica; Steven Thompson; Johnathan Thompson; and Alec John Korver, and his wife, Abigail; twenty great-grandchildren; a sister, Burlea Jean Long, of Maitland, Florida; four brothers, Russell Lee Korver, of Urbandale, Iowa; Lawrence “Bub” Korver, and his wife, Elizabeth “Betty”, of Orange City; George William Korver, and his wife, Jane, of Battle Lake, Minnesota; and David James Korver, and his wife, Jan, of Sioux City; a sister-in-law, Ruby Barth Korver (who passed away on June 23), of Green Bay, Wisconsin; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Thea Gay Korver; two sisters and their husbands, Charlene Mae and James Grove, and Rose Marie and Milton Mackie; a brother, Ronald George Korver; a sister-in-law, Shirley Korver; and a brother-in-law, Franklin O. Long.

Memorials may be directed to The Korver Family for future designation.

Source: Oolman Funeral Home online obituary.