Cecil Allen Saul

Cecil Allen Saul, 89, passed away June 3, 2015 in Longview. He was born June 27, 1925 in Jacob, Illinois to Fred and Edna Saul and was sixth of seven children. Cecil was raised on the family farm in Illinois until he joined the Army-Air Force at the outset of World War II. After his graduation from Gettysburg College, Cecil left to enlist in the US Army Air Corps as an airborne radio operator. He spent 17 years overseas in Latin America, Alaska, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. After 27 years, he retired as a master sergeant. Cecil spent the first 18 months of retirement sailing around the Americas on his beloved boat, Tanukisan. He met his wife of 44 years, Nuey, in Thailand while serving in Vietnam. He came to Longview in 1970 after opening East Texas Bolt Company. He sold the company in 1977. He decided to go back to school, 38 years after graduating high school, where he graduated with honors with an Associates of Science from Kilgore College. When featured in a news article in the Longview News Journal, he spoke about continuing his education, “Personally successful? Yes. I feel a sense of personal accomplishment. When you start showing success, it attracts success…..I planned retirement for 27 years, and if I could just stay out of things long enough, I would retire!” This statement characterized the rest of his retirement, as he worked tirelessly with his grandchildren to educate and encourage them, telling them to “grow up and change the world.” He was a lifelong student of politics, geography, astronomy and language, with special emphasis in tinkering on projects in the yard like ultralight aircraft. Cecil was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers; Kenneth and Herb Saul, three sisters; Anna Clendenin, Thelma Slaybaugh, and Grace Stevenson. Also preceding him in death, one grandson; Michael Stanton. He is survived by his wife, Nuey Saul; his children, Sanong Hamilton and husband Dr. Robert, Sanit Campbell and husband Dennis, and Sam Phrumjuntun and wife Leah; and his sister, Edna Mae Todd and husband Bill. Surviving grandchildren include Kristi Bledsoe, Kari Malone, Kyra Hamilton, Kayleigh Hamilton, Christin Whatley, Kassie Pruitt, Karry Sparks, Kelly Sparks, and Samantha Phrumjuntun; and great-grandchildren, Caiden, Jack, Rowyn, Karis, Ty, Eric, and Samuel. Visitation will be held at Rader Funeral Home, Longview on Friday, June 5, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. A Celebration of Cecil’s life, including military honors, will be held Saturday, June 6, at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home. At his request, private cremation will take place after services.

Cecil Allen Saul

June 27, 1925 - June 3, 2015