Paul Smith, funeral director at Locke Funeral Services, has worn many hats throughout his life, collecting innumerable stories along the way. One such story is that he was one of just three people from the University of Northern Iowa to be invited to President Ronald Reagan’s inauguration in 1984. For Paul, stories like this are more than fun facts—they are the building blocks of who we are. It’s one of the many reasons Paul loves the work he does.
“One of my passions is writing very personal, detailed obituaries,” Paul said. “It gives me great satisfaction to assist a family in telling the life story of their loved one. I especially enjoy helping a family recall the funny or unique things that made their loved one an individual. Obituaries are important. They are permanent. And they matter.”
Paul, of course, has many other passions. Paul is the son of a retired Air Force major, and his own son is stationed on a Navy submarine, which gives him a deep respect for veterans. He’s also a Corvette enthusiast and a proud owner of a 2003 Chevrolet Corvette 50th Anniversary Edition Pace Car convertible. And this past June, each of these passions—stories, veterans, and Corvettes—came together to make a difference.
“I was honored on June 17, 2022, to be able to escort Sgt. Lenis Lang to his final resting place at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter, Iowa,” Paul said. “I gave Sgt. Lang one final ride to the cemetery in my Corvette. I was escorted by over 30 motorcycles from five different veteran service organizations. Sgt. Lang had no family of his own—on that day, we all stepped in and became his family.”
Providing a service like this is second nature to Paul and the rest of the team at Locke’s. And Paul is quick to point out that what truly makes a difference to those experiencing a loss is authenticity and compassion.
“I strive to provide the same level of service and compassion I would expect were it my loved one,” Paul said. “It isn’t about nice cars, nice suits, or fancy buildings. It’s about service to the family and attention to detail. Our team is second to none. And the way we conduct business, and our lives, isn’t a show. It’s who we are.”
Paul and the rest of the Locke’s team are committed to providing caring, compassionate service. And to do that means evolving to meet the needs of the community. Locke at Tower Park, the newest location to join the Locke’s, is a testament to that. This state-of-the-art facility is the first of its kind in the Cedar Valley. And as Paul sees it, there’s more change to come.
“I am sort of a visionary by nature,” Paul said. “I see the Locke’s continuing to be the funeral home of choice for the Cedar Valley. I expect nothing less than past growth to continue, and we will earn the trust our community places in us one family at a time.”
There is one more thing Paul is passionate about. It’s borne out of personal experience. And it has to do with the very thing he does every single day at Locke’s—helping those experiencing a loss.
“I fully believe every person should begin the process of planning for their own memorial,” Paul said. “Age isn’t a factor—my own plans have been complete for many years. My parents had done advanced planning, and I am so thankful that they did. It can be scary to think about, but we’re here to help guide you through the process. You don’t have to do it alone.”
If you need any funeral services, please contact Locke Funeral Services by calling 319-233-6138. Our staff is ready to assist you with any of your needs.
