Paul Richard Ring

     Paul Richard Ring, 89, a longtime resident of Woodsfield, passed away Wednesday, September 1, 2021.    He was born in Woodsfield on August 31, 1932, a son of the late Herbert and Lillie (Briggs) Ring.

            Paul had a love for music, basketball and along with his family, was an avid Ohio State sports fan. He was a proud member of the 1949 Woodsfield High School Regional Champs basketball team.  He graduated from WHS in 1950, and went on to barber school in Columbus. He worked as a barber in Marietta in 1952.

            In 1953, he married his high school sweetheart, Helen Marie Weber. Soon afterward, he received his draft notice for the Korean War.  With his love for music, he auditioned for and was accepted into the 336th Army Band.  After serving his country, Paul and Marie moved to Columbus where he enrolled in the Ohio State University to pursue his degree in music.  While there, he played the trombone in the OSU Concert Band.  He graduated in 1959 and returned home to begin his career as a Music Teacher for the Monroe Local School District at Stafford High School.  He also owned a part time barber shop located in his in-laws’garage (Leighton and Thelma Weber) on West Church Street.  Paul continued to barber at various locations in Woodsfield and hung up his scissors after 63 years.

            He directed the first Christmas concert in the newly consolidated Skyvue High School featuring the concert band and choir in 1965.  In 1970, Paul became the principal, where he served for ten years and then returned to his alma mater as principal of Woodsfield High School.  He retired from the school district in 1985.

            Paul was a member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, where he was the director of the choir for 31 years.  He was a member of the Ohio State University Alumni Club of Monroe County and the American Legion Post 87.    He was a trombone player for the Roscoe Brass, Jerry Weaver’s Goodtime Band, the Lazy River Jazz Band, and numerous other bands and musical ensembles throughout the state.   He founded and directed the Freedom Singers in the 1970’s and directed the Monroe County Community Band in the 1990’s.  Paul was Co-founder of the Pioneer Valley Athletic Conference (PVC) and also co-created the Monroe County Arts Council with Suzanne Pollock.

            In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers Eugene, Herb Jr., Edgar, William, and Bernard.

            In addition to his wife of 69 years, Helen Marie, he is survived by his sister, Rosa Lee Tatum of DeLand, Florida, four children, Paula Ring, of Woodsfield, Marc (Helen Kay) Ring, of Woodsfield, Matthew (Greg Woods) Ring, of Westerville, and Andrew (Lori) Ring, of Beverly, five grandchildren Megan, Marissa, Zachary, Kelsey, and Jacob, and five great-grand children, Ava, Lydia, Gavin, Elijah, and Riley Ann.

            Friends will be received 4 – 8 p.m. Monday, September 6, 2021 at the Bauer and Turner Funeral Home, 100 South Paul Street, Woodsfield, Ohio.  Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ with Father David Gaydosik, officiating.  Graveside services will be held at the convenience of the family.

            Memorial contributions may be made to the Monroe County Arts Council or St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Woodsfield.

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