Leslie Paul Oltmanns was born on August 27, 1939, in Crescent, Oklahoma. When Paul was around 8 years old, he was diagnosed with a hematoma in his brain, he underwent successful brain surgery. While he was in the hospital, he had this little monkey bank that when you fed it coins it would tip its hat. Paul had enough money to buy a bike when he was released. After he graduated from high school Paul attended Oklahoma Tech and was trained as a mechanic. He was working for Halliburton in Colorado when he met and married Sonia Linnens in 1960. They got married at the preacher’s house with a couple of friends as witnesses around Thanksgiving. They moved to Artesia, NM and a daughter, Sharon Gayle was born in 1962. Seeking a better job, Paul moved his little family to Hobbs, NM where a second daughter was born. Sandy Lynn was born in 1964 and Paul bought his first home on Matthew’s Court. Working long hours to provide for his family, Paul and Sonia made the decision to travel to Venezuela to work for an oil company in 1967. Ronald Paul, a son was born overseas in 1968. Paul moved his family back to the states and decided to settle back in Hobbs, NM in 1969. They were able to save enough money to start Hobbs Diesel in partnership with Doyle and Wilma Rahe. After putting 3 kids through college, Paul decided to retire in 2006, the business was sold and they decided to move to Houston, Texas where Sharon’s family was located. At that time all their children were married, and Paul had 7 grandchildren. John Paul, Susan Lynn, Chance Steven, Christian Paul, Nikki Leigh, Markus Paul, and Titus Paul. He now has 3 great grandchildren, Connor Paul, Roman Paul, and Blakely Grace. The Paul Oltmanns tribe now numbers at 20. Last year Paul and Sonia celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Paul has suffered some health issues in recent years with 2 major back surgeries, 2 neck surgeries, both knees replaced, a broken collarbone.

Daddy has had a couple of nasty falls in recent weeks, for the full story of his medical journey over the last three weeks see the story on Medical Journey.