Paul Kevin Distel, always known as Kevin, passed away Thursday, September 6, 2018 at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center after a hard-fought battle with pancreatitis. Kevin, who was sixty-two years old, was surrounded by family at the time of his passing.
Kevin was a graduate of Portsmouth West High School and Ohio University. He had worked at the Portsmouth Daily Times, Bryan’s clothing store, and for many years, Sunoco chemical plant, where he was a foreman.
For years, Kevin was an avid tennis player and golfer, as well as a fan of a variety of sports teams. His love of sports also led him to coaching, when he eventually became the junior varsity basketball coach at Portsmouth West High School.
Kevin’s retirement years were full and satisfying, allowing him to indulge in the music, books, movies, and television series of which he was an aficionado and astute critic. His greatest passion, however, was painting. Completely self-taught, he recently sold his first painting at the art exhibit of the Southern Ohio Museum and Cultural Center. The walls of his home are covered in his colorful, energetic impressions of nature: Glorious still lifes, landscapes, and intriguing abstracts.
Perhaps the role Kevin most relished was as a grandfather. He received great joy from his relationship with his young granddaughters, Jayla and Londyn Bricker. He was a “papaw” who was patient, loving, and endlessly fun.
Kevin is survived by many loving family members: Parents, Norma and Marvin Distel of West Portsmouth; ex-wife and great friend Teresa Burchett Distel; son Clarke Distel, daughter Chelsey (Luke Bricker) Distel and granddaughters Jayla and Londyn Bricker; brother John (Linda) Distel, and their children (Eric Distel, Nathan Distel, and Tessa Distel, and Tessa’s children, Brooklyn and R.J. Foose); sister Stephanie (Fred) Distel Kight and daughter Caitlin. Kevin is also survived by son Matthew (Teresa) Conley, and their daughters Megan and Erin Conley.
Funeral service will be 1:00 PM Monday, September 10, 2018 at the Roger W. Davis Funeral Home in West Portsmouth with Zach Evans officiating and interment in Scioto Burial Park. Friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday from 6 to 8:00 PM and one hour prior to the service on Monday. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to The National Pancreas Foundation (3 Bethesda Metro Center, Suite 700, Bethesda, MD 20814 or online at pancreasfoundation.org). Condolences may be sent to www.rogerwdavisfuneralhomem.com.
