Grandfather, U.S. Navy veteran, teacher, reader, country music fan

Paul Jerome Britz died December 20, 2021, at his home in Claremont, shortly after being diagnosed with serious illnesses. He was 87.

Born to Dorothy Arter and Peter Britz in Danville, Illinois on November 15, 1934, Paul attended Urbana High School in Urbana, Illinois, graduating in 1952. In October of that year he joined the U.S. Navy as a Seabee, and was sent to Subic Bay, The Philippines, as a construction equipment mechanic. He received an honorable discharge on November 9, 1955.

Returning to the United States, he and his mother moved to California, where he attended Chaffey Community College in Ontario. From there he went on to earn a master’s degree in education from California State University, Los Angeles. He then embarked on a teaching career, first with Los Angeles Unified School District, and later joining the faculty at Rio Honda Community College, and eventually Mt. San Antonio Community College in Walnut.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Jacqueline McDade; and his brother, Peter Britz.

He is survived by his wife Irene Ferris; stepchildren, Mark Cherry and Michele Cherry Renney; son, Paul Matthew Britz (Jaylynne); granddaughter, Amanda Alvares (Anthony), and their two children Nash and Adelia; and nephew, Derek Britz.

He was an avid reader, with collections of books on the Civil War, World Wars I and II, and followed politics closely. He taught himself Spanish, and how to rebuild 8-track tapes. He loved and collected country western music records, and was especially fond of Hank Williams and Emmylou Harris.

“He will be dearly missed by his friends and family,” his wife Irene wrote. “I will miss his funny sense of humor, and our various great discussions. Rest in peace love of my life, dear friend, and husband.”