Robert Dollahon

Paul Dollahon
3/10/25 - 12/26/15

Paul Dollahon, 90, died at his Roswell home on Saturday, Dec. 26, after a fulfilling life as husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.

Born Robert Paul Dollahon to Rob and Annie Dollahon on March 10, 1925, he was a proud Roswell native, going to school here and playing football at Roswell High for Coach Poe Corn. He graduated in 1943.

Following high school, Paul joined the United States Army Air Forces and served three years. After honorable discharge in 1946, he entered New Mexico A&M College, now NMSU, where he studied civil engineering. It was during this time that he met his bride to be, Joyce Wooldridge, also a Roswell native.

"Even though we were born within two blocks of each other, we never really communicated until I got out of the service," he loved to tell the family. "We had a four-year courtship before we married on Thanksgiving Day 1949."

It was also that year Dollahon became a surveyor with Magnolia Oil, which later became Mobil Oil. He worked in the Portales area for a couple of years before the desire to move back to Roswell brought them home.

He later spent 10 years with Shell Oil, drafting location maps for exploration. When the company moved out of state, it was the family's decision to stay in Roswell.

In 1962, the Dollahons bought Trailer City West, a gas station and trailer park that they owned and operated for 10 years. In 1972, Paul followed Joyce into a career in real estate. They both worked for and were tutored by Roswell real estate legends Jim Markl and Jim Snell, before opening and operating Paul Dollahon Realtors for many years.

Over the course of his real estate career, Paul earned a Realtor of the Year title, served as president of the Roswell Chamber of Commerce Redcoats and was a lifetime member of the group, and received numerous other service awards and distinctions.

He was also proud of the family-owned Hilltop Apartments, built by sister Audrey Corn and her husband Hub.

Paul will always be remembered for his smiling eyes, fast grin and a quick wit that was often delivered with an Irish twist.

He is survived by wife Joyce, and children Diane French and Gary Dollahon. Son Walter preceded him in death.

Diane and Dr. Fred French live near Ruidoso. Family members are retired Navy LCDR Dr. Flip and Christina French with children Emma, Ben and Jack; Tad and Lori French with children Ella and Anna; Emily and Ryan Wooley with son Levi; and U.S.M.C. Captain Mickey and Jenna French with children Will and Isla.

Gary and Donna Dollahon live in Broken Arrow, Okla. Their family includes Crystal and Bobby Myers with son Archer; and B.J. and Jenni Dollahon with children Rob and Molly.

The late Walter Dollahon and wife Lisa's family includes daughter Katie Dollahon; U.S.A.F. SRA Price and Callie Dollahon; and U.S.C.G. PO2 Chip and Leah Dollahon and son Trevor.

Two other great grandchildren are on the way and Paul was quick and proud to point out "that will give us 14, and I'll bet there will be more."

Paul and Joyce remained active and visible in Roswell festivities throughout most of their 66 years of marriage. The couple took great pride not only in their immediate family members and their spouses, kids, grandkids and great grandkids, but also in their many siblings on both sides and their respective families.

Paul's surviving sister Ann Becker resides in Michigan.

A family celebration of Paul's life is scheduled for Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at 1 p.m., at Ballard Funeral Home Chapel. Paul will be buried at South Park Cemetery, a place where he had fond childhood memories for the time his father worked as a resident caretaker there. He will be laid to rest near his son Walter, with numerous other relatives and friends also nearby.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Paul's honor to First Presbyterian Church of Roswell, 400 W. 3rd Street, Roswell, NM 88201.

Service

Funeral Service

Ballard Funeral Chapel
910 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
1:00 pm

Cemetery

South Park Cemetery
3101 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203

Memorial Contributions

First Presbyterian Church
400 West Third Street
Roswell, NM  88201