Paul Olexia

Paul D. Olexia was born July 31, 1939, in McKeesport, Pa, the son of Paul and Gladys Olexia. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Gary Olexia and his daughter, Julie. Surviving are his wife Sally Olexia and their son Michael and his wife Deanna. Also surviving is Deborah (Olexia) Stilley, his daughter from a previous marriage and her family. Paul grew up in western Pennsylvania and graduated from Clairton (Pa) High School. He received his B.A. degree from Wabash College where he majored in zoology and played varsity football. He received his M.A. degree from the St. University of New York at Buffalo and went on to get his Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee in Botany (mycology), working under Dr. Ronald Petersen with whom he maintained a life-long friendship. Upon completion of doctorate, he served a one-year appointment as a sabbatical replacement at Colgate University. Subsequently, he took a teaching position at Kalamazoo College in 1968 where he taught until retirement in 2002. His primary courses were Botany, Evolution and Environmental Science along with occasional courses in Freshwater Ecology, Plant Ecology, Mycology, and Plant and Animal Diversity. He served as Chair of the Biology Dept. and subsequently as Chair of the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. During his time at K College, he collaborated with researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratories, Argonne National labs, and the University of Rhode Island. His main area of research interest was mycorrhizal fungi which grow mutualistically with the roots of most plant species. While at Kalamazoo College he collaborated with his good friend Ahmed Hussen, initiating an interdisciplinary Concentration in Environmental Studies. He was an initial faculty leader for the Land/Sea Program. Additionally, he enjoyed assisting with announcing football games as well as an official scorer for basketball games at Kalamazoo College for a number of years. Through his long-standing interest in sports, he remained active in pickup basketball, recreational bicycling, and especially playing handball until his early 60's. After his retirement, he was active with both the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy and the Kalamazoo Area Wild Ones. He served as President and board member of both organizations. An area of special interest to Paul was the Wild Ones Community Projects Committee which implemented and managed native plant projects at a number of locations throughout the city. His conservation efforts, resulted in a diverse, notable collection of native plants, mostly spring ephemerals at his home in Kalamazoo. Throughout his life he remained interested in fungi, plants, nature, conservation, and environmental protection.

Arrangements for a celebration of his life are ongoing and will be made public at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his memory may be made to any of the following organizations: Kalamazoo Area Wild Ones, Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy, Kalamazoo Nature Center, Kalamazoo College or Wabash College, in c/o the funeral home. Friend may leave a condolence message for the family at www.joldersma-klein.com.