Arno Pautsch

Arno Lee Pautsch, 89, was born in Enid, Oklahoma, on December 11, 1934, to Arno Edwin Pautsch and Irene Pearl Rebecca (Kessner) Pautsch, and departed this life on December 1, 2024, and joined his heavenly Father and the great cloud of witnesses and dear ones gone before. The service celebrating Arno's life will be held on Friday, December 6, at 2:00 pm, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1626 E. Broadway, in Enid, with Rev. Kenneth Wade officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, 6405 Memorial Drive, Enid, with a committal ceremony in the Memorial Park garden chapel, with the United States Navy Honor Guard proving military honors. The family will receive visitors on Thursday, December 5, from 6 to 8 pm, at the funeral home, 2800 N. Van Buren, in Enid.

Following graduation from Enid High School in 1953, Arno served in the United States Navy as an electronics technician. Arno married Mary Ann Frey on April 17, 1955, at Zion Lutheran Church, Lahoma, Oklahoma. The couple had two children, Roger Arno and Leann Marie.

Arno was a true pioneer in communications. He founded and co-owned Enid-2-Way, a radio communications sales and service company. With locations across the state, Enid-2-Way became a Five-Star GE Dealership. He served on the GE Dealership Advisory Council for 15 years, addressing concerns and pursuing solutions that arose in the field. Many industry firsts were achieved because of his leadership. He was involved with two additional businesses, PB Industries, which held 21 tower communications sites, and Comm Networks, providing telephone and dispatch services.

A life-long member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, he found joy and purpose in serving God through serving others, often in roles behind the scenes. As a young man, Arno identified a need to help boys become men of character and to develop leadership skills. In response, he helped establish Boy Scout Troop 8 and became its leader. Arno remained an active BSA mentor and leader for many years.

Arno was a man of diverse interests and was a perpetual learner. He had a wide range of interests within the field of electronics. In addition, he enjoyed frequent hunting and camping trips with friends and family. He pursued an interest in photography and often served the needs of St. Paul's through videography, capturing memories of church events and activities.

In the late 1970s, Arno and Mary Ann began to travel more extensively. They saw a few foreign lands, but primarily enjoyed frequent outings in their motor home. They covered thousands of miles and explored many regions of the country.

Arno was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of nearly 50 years; sister, Bonnie Schilling; and daughter Leann Rimmer. He is survived by his son, and daughter-in-law, Roger and Valerie Pautsch, of El Reno, Oklahoma; grandson Tyler Waddle and wife, Tara, of Norman, Oklahoma; granddaughter Audria Lynn Waddle, of Oklahoma City; and a host of cherished extended family members and treasured friends.

In lieu of flowers, consider a memorial gift in Arno's honor, to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, supporting local research initiatives, or make a donation that supports the ministries of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as custodian of the funds.

Condolences may be made, memories shared, and services viewed online at www.ladusauevans.com.