Colonel Paul M. Yeager, age 90, of McKinney, Texas, passed away October 19, 2011, in McKinney. Colonel Yeager was born March 3, 1921 in Nowata, Oklahoma, to John Kirt and Alta (Wayman) Yeager. He joined the Air Force at age 19 and pinned on his coveted pilot’s wings three days after his 21st birthday. During World War II he served in Alaska and New Guinea, where he was shot down. He lay injured in the jungle for five days before being rescued by his fellow airmen. After recovering from his injuries he was assigned to Mitchel Field in New York, where he met and married Constance Bennett on May 14, 1948, in West Hempstead, New York. His next assignment was to instruct at the Air Force ROTC unit at Tulsa University, where he was also able to earn a BA degree in Psychology and a BS in Military Science. He retired in 1968 at Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls. He established a chapter of The Retired Officers Association there and served two terms as its President. He was also President of the Board of Directors of the University Club. Post-retirement he worked for the City of Wichita Falls as Director of Public Safety and later as Safety Director for the Wichita Falls State Hospital. During his employment by the State, he was President of the Texas State Employees Association. In 1991 Paul and Connie moved to McKinney. He was elected to the City Council of McKinney and served there for two terms. During this time he was also President of the Dallas chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars. He was also active in the Military Order of Purple Heart. He helped to organize the McKinney Sunrise Rotary Club, was its third president, and later was chosen to be the District Governor for District 5810 of Rotary Club for the 1999-2000 period. In 2009 Paul had one of his proudest and happiest moments when he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross which he had earned in New Guinea 26 years earlier. The medal was presented to him by Congressman Sam Johnson. Many of Paul’s friends and family were present for the ceremony, making the occasion one that brought him great pleasure Paul is survived by his wife, Constance Yeager of McKinney, Texas; son Paul Yeager, Jr. of Mansfield, Texas; daughter, Christine Yeager of Dallas; granddaughter, Bailey Anne Yeager of Mansfield, Texas; and cousin, Andy Yeager and wife Louise of Harrison, Arkansas. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Thursday, October 27, 2011, at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Chapel in Allen, Texas. The family will receive friends during a visitation beginning at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday evening at the funeral home.