Jonathan W. Paul

Jonathan Wortley Paul, (J.P.) of Exton, Pennsylvania passed away on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, in West Chester, PA at the age of 64.

Born in Philadelphia, PA on May 3, 1959, he was the beloved son of the late Dorothy Jane Lagergren and the late Wortley Browning Paul.

J.P. was raised in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, the youngest of three brothers. A 1977 graduate of Conestoga High School, J.P. was a star pitcher on his varsity baseball team. His focus on the mound and sharp arm won him a full baseball scholarship at Pace University in West Chester County, New York. He pitched for Pace all four years and graduated in 1981 with a degree in Business.

Not long after college, he landed his first job at Pennzoil in Sales. He started his career as a route delivery driver delivering motor oil to gas stations. His personable nature and wonderful sense of humor helped him quickly climb the ladder and become a top regional sales rep for the company. J.P. loved being selected to work the Pennzoil tent at NASCAR races where he made an impression on anyone who met him.

After relocating for Pennzoil to Houston in 1995, he later transferred to a subsidiary, Calumet Specialty Products Lubricants of Indianapolis, to return to the East Coast and work territory sales selling base oils, waxes, and solvents. He would often introduce himself as a “lubrication salesman” which always caused a chuckle. His genuine relationships with his customers, distributors and Calumet colleagues are what made him so successful in his career. He planned to retire in 2024 after twenty-six years with the company.

Many summers were spent in Dewey Beach, Delaware, which was without a doubt J.P.’s happy place surrounding himself with some of his closest friends in beach house rentals. It was there that he met Stacey Swarm whom he married in 1997. His fondest memories of Dewey took place at The Starboard where he enjoyed dancing to his favorite 80’s music.

J.P.’s proudest and most defining moment of his life was the 2004 birth of his son, Nathan Miles Paul. Nathan grew to love baseball just like his dad, and he too was a pitcher playing for local league teams and school. For ten years J.P. never missed a chance to watch his son play baseball, and he was typically seen pacing behind the batter’s box, talking with the parents, or most famously for retrieving every foul ball no matter which team hit it. His love for the game and the social life he gained from Nathan’s sports were the highlights of his life. In addition, JP was passionate about Philadelphia Sports and a loyal WIP listener. His love of Philly sports began as a young boy leading into a man who naturally absorbed the details of playing the game and the players/coaches who played it. We will miss all of JP’s sights of the PSU Nittany Lions while Nathan enjoys going to games as a student!

Another highlight was meeting Pamela Sampson in 2013, his long-time partner. Pamela was instrumental in J.P.’s happiness and peace, and he often spoke of her kind and nurturing nature. Together they shared his love for the beach and his hobbies which included street biking across Chester County’s beautiful streets, power walking together and flying his drone. Nathan found it humorous how his dad would fly his drone around his neighborhood hovering close to buildings, or how without warning he would pull over on the side of the road and send it up. Seeing the scenery from above was something that fascinated J.P. and now he has the best view from Heaven.

J.P. always had a joke to share or a quick-witted comeback. His humor mixed with a pinch of sarcasm will be greatly missed.

In addition to his son, he is survived by his brother, Drew Von Bargen of New Jersey and he was also an uncle to three nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his oldest brother, Derrick Von Bargen and his stepmother, Eleanor Paul.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to Lionville Youth Association, Boys Baseball, P.O. Box 475, Lionville, PA 19353.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life ceremony which will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, November 25, 2023,  at the Sheraton Great Valley Hotel, Astoria Ballroom, 707 E. Lancaster Ave, Frazer, PA 19355.