Paul J. Urban, 88, died January 1, 2008 at Rush County Nursing Home, La Crosse, Kansas. He was born November 2, 1919 at Ellis County, Kansas, the son of John and Margaret Stecklein Urban. He was resident of Great Bend since 1953 coming from Hays, where he taught at St. Joseph's Military Academy for a number of years. Mr. Urban was a teacher at Great Bend High School for twenty years, serving as president of the local education association and president of the Kansas Association of mathematics Teachers. He went into real estate in 1973 where he was elected Realtor Associate of the Year in 1978. He also taught a real estate course at Barton County Community College for a number of years, retiring in 1988. He was a graduate of Fort Hays University, member of Pi Sigma Pi fraternity and received his Master's degree from the University of Northern Colorado in 1951. He was also a graduate of the command and General Staff College of Fort Leavenworth. He was a member of St. Rose Catholic Church and was past president of the parish council, diocesan pastoral council, diocesan school board, and Catholic Social Service. He was a member and past grand knight of the Knights of Columbus and a fourth degree member of the Coronado Assembly. As a veteran of World War II, Mr. Urban served in the active Army and Reserve for thirty-three years and retired as a colonel. He was a member of ROA, TROA, and AUSA. He was also a lifetime member and past commander of the American Legion, named top service officer of the State of Kansas in 1977 and served as chairman of the annual Barton County Government Day for many years. Mr. Urban was a member of Kiwanis, was vice-chairman of the Commission on Aging for 4 years, was a lifetime member of NEA, was a member and past president of the Barton County Retired Teachers Association and AARP. Survivors include numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by six brothers, Benjamin Urban, George Urban, Isadore Urban, William Urban, Eugene Urban, and Walter Urban; and two sisters, Ann Leiker and Sister Lillian Urban. Vigil service with Knights of Columbus Rosary will be at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, January 3, 2008 at Bryant Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 2:00 p.m., Friday, January 4, 2008 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Great Bend, with Father Wesley Schawe officiating. Burial will be in Great Bend Cemetery with military honors conducted by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Thursday, January 3, 2008 at Bryant Funeral Home. A memorial in Mr. Urban's name has been established with the Holy Family School Endowment, in care of the funeral home.