Paul passed away peacefully at his home in Essex, Iowa.

Memorials may be directed to Page County Fair, Heartland Home Health & Hospice, Iowa ALS, Essex Activities, Shenandoah Speech Dept. or The Shenandoah Cross Country Team.

Paul Dean Bangston was born on November 17, 1957 in Red Oak, Iowa, the son of Howard and Ardis (Harding) Bangston. Paul entered into the arms of his Lord, on Monday morning, March 4, 2013 at his home in Essex.

Paul's early life was spent on the family farm south of Camp Aldersgate outside of Villisca. He graduated from Villisca High School with the Class of 1976. He later continued his education at Iowa State University where he obtained his Bachelors of Science Degree in Animal Science. On August 8, 1981 he was united in marriage to Marty Kernen in Clarinda, Iowa. The couple made their first home in St. Edward, Nebraska, before moving to an acreage outside of Essex.

Paul work as a Livestock Production Specialist for a Co-op in St. Edwards and the surrounding communities. Upon moving to Essex, he worked for Crestland Co-op in Shenandoah, the Villisca Elevator and most recently the Clarinda Co-op where he worked until he was forced into retirement due to his ALS. The family also raised cows and calves on their farm for the past 30 years.

Paul was an active husband and father. He enjoyed being involved with the Page County Fair, 4-H, the Page County Extension Council, Essex Child Care Board, Beta Theta Pi fraternity at ISU and was a Tarkio Township Trustee. He also enjoyed working on the "chain gang" during Essex football games and was a faithful statistician during basketball and softball seasons in Essex. His greatest joy came from moments shared with his family. He enjoyed watching his children and their friends in sports and activities, working with his children and wife on the farm with their cows, watching westerns and classic tv shows, laughing and spending quality time with friends.

He was preceded in death by his beloved dogs Jock, Rocky, Swede, Opie, Zoey, Bo and Biddy. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife Marty of Essex; children Corrie McHale and husband Tom of Minneapolis, MN, Kaley Bangston and friend Wyatt Setterburg of Iowa City and Adel, IA, Kyle Bangston and friend Emma Berglund and Quentin Bangston all of Ames, IA; grandson Bennett McHale of Minneapolis, MN; mother and father in-law Junior and Margaret Kernen of Villisca, IA; brothers and sisters in-law Joe and Lisa Kernen of Villisca and Dan and Maria Kernen of Denver, CO; parents Howard and Ardis Bangston of Villisca; brother Bill Bangston and wife Julie of Wyanett, IL; sister Pam Greenwalt and Terry Mullen of Creston, IA and Brenda Dunn and husband Stan of Nodaway, IA; dear friend and caregiver Ashley Lindburg; many nieces, nephews, caregivers and loving friends.