Paul Korak

Paul J. Korak, 74, of Concord, passed away on Friday, January 8, 2010, at CMC-Northeast, after an extended illness of pulmonary infection.

He was born in Mansfield, Ohio on June 23, 1935, to the late Joseph and Josephine Korak.

Paul attended technical high school in Indianapolis and studied engineering at Purdue University before beginning a life-long career as a patent illustrator. He was employed for many years at Leydig, Voit and Mayer in Chicago and Rockford, Illinois, where he met and married his wife, Audrey, 39 years ago. After moving to Concord, he was employed with Bell, Selzer, now known as Austin and Bird, of Charlotte. After his retirement, he became a self-employed patent illustrator and most recently worked for Summa Law Firm in Ballantyne. He was known as one of the best patent illustrators in his talent.

Paul is survived by his wife, Audrey, of the home; son, Joe (Julene), of Huron, SD; daughter, Cheryl Lewis (Terry), of Indianapolis, IN; and daughter, Danna, of Norman, OK. He is also survived by his stepson, Dr. Cliff Compton (Ursula), of Huntersville; stepdaughter, Rita (Jon), of Cary; 10 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; and 6 step-grandchildren.

Paul will be greatly missed by his family, friends and neighbors in Sleepy Hollow, where he was active in neighborhood projects. He loved to work in his yard and planted flowers by season.

He and Audrey belonged for several years to the Cabarrus Country Club and took many long weekends of golf outings. He was also an active member of the Men’s Golf Association.

A memorial will be held on January 16, 2010 at 2:00 PM at Epworth Methodist Church, with visitation one hour prior.

Memorials may be made to Epworth Methodist Church, 1030 Burrage Rd. NE, Concord, NC 28025.

Hartsell Funeral Home is entrusted with cremation and arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.hartsellfh.com.