Paul T. Boston

Memorial services for Paul T. Boston, 87, of Belton will be held on September 24, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Temple with Pastor Tom Robbins officiating.

Paul was born in Clarendon, Texas on June 1, 1925 to Pearl Talmage and Myrtle Belle Leverett Boston. He grew up in Shamrock, Texas.

Upon graduation from Shamrock High School in 1941, Paul attended the University of Texas at Austin where he enlisted in the US Navy V-12 program. He was sent to Tulane University in New Orleans where he earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Business Administration. Then, he went to Harvard University for office’s training school. After graduation, he was commissioner an ensign and served at Pearl Harbor as a Supply Corps officer.

When he returned from service, he resumed residency at Harvard to receive his Master’s in Business Administration in 1947. 

His first civilian occupation was Professor of Business Administration at Sam Houston State University, after which he joined Magnolia Petroleum’s Exploration Department in 1948. 

He married Mary Jean Durham on January 5, 1949 at the Little Chapel in the Woods on the campus of Texas Women’s University in Denton.

He started a 38-year career as an oil scout and then was a landman for many years in Texas, where three of his children were born.

He spent his last 20 years in New York City as Corporate Real Estate Manager for Mobil Oil Corporation and lived in Westport, Connecticut and Manhattan.

He served on the Board of Directors for the Broadway Association, which was the moving force in establishing Times Square as the Entertainment Capitol of the World from 1976 to 1986.

After retirement in 1986, Paul and Mary Jean moved to Belton in 1989 to live on part of Mary Jean’s family ranch. 

Boston was active in the Arts, being a past president of the Bell County Museum Board from 2000 to 2002. He was also a member of the Salado Historical Society and the 2004 President of the Board of Directors of the Living Room Theatre of Salado, in which he participated in numerous production. He enjoyed the camaraderie and exercise at the Summit Fitness Center.

Mary Jean and Paul were active members of the First United Methodist Church in Temple.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Reita Boston Oliphant.

He is survived by Mary Jean, his wife of 62 years, and his brother Charles Boston and wife June, of Boerne. 

He is also survived by his three children  and his grandchildren: Ann Holland Boston Faber, of Salado and grandsons David Faber and Gregory Faber; Paul Talmage Boston, Jr. and wife Claire, of Dallas and grandchildren Scott Boston and Lindsey Boston and son James Leverett Boston and wife Terry, of Belton and grandsons Grant Boston and Paul Boston.

Paul loved art, antiques and architecture. He was an avid reader and music lover.

Travel took the Bostons all over the world, adding to their life-long journey of learning.

Paul was a collector — those who visited their home knew of his love — especially his prized chair collection.

He lived a life full of intellect, generosity, emotion and love for his family.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Bell County Museum, PO Box 1381, Belton, TX 76513; First United Methodist Church, PO Box 773, Temple, TX 76501 or to the charity of your choice.