PAUL DAVID GURAEDY
Paul was raised in Pineville, Louisiana. He graduated from Menard Memorial High School, 1957, and from Louisiana College, 1962. He majored in history and minored in library science. From 1957 to 1963 Paul served in the Marine Corps reserve.
In 1962 and 1963 Paul was a librarian in the Ouachita Parish Public Library, Monroe, Louisiana.
From 1963 to 1965, Paul served in the Peace Corps assigned to Malosa Secondary School, Kasupe, Malawi, East Africa. This isolated boarding school (High School in U.S.) consisted of about 150 boys and girls. He taught biology, geography and was coach for track and field as well as the soccer team. While in Africa, Paul became interested in Parks.
Upon return to the United States, Paul was employed as a Public Relations Specialist by the U.S. Army Recruiting Command. He was responsible for publicity over most of the north part of Texas.
In 1967, he joined the National Park Service with his first assignment being at the Horace Albright Training Center, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona.
Diana was raised in Norfork, Arkansas. She graduated as Valedictorian from Norfork High School in 1962 and from the University of Arkansas in 1967. Majors in English and Botany led to her selection as a Park Naturalist with an assignment to the Horace Albright Training Center at Grand Canyon National Park.
Paul and Diana launched their career and marriage at Grand Canyon in 1967. Regulations of the time required that Diana give up her ranger career (while continuing work as a volunteer) to accompany Paul in his assignments.
Paul often describes the "early years" as the best time of their career. Diana adds, "Poverty and isolation are two of the very best foundations for a successful marriage as it forges a partnership." Their first son, David, was born at Paul's first permanent assignment, El Morro National Monument, Ramah, New Mexico. The 50 mile ride to the nearest town started at 2a.m. on a snowy winter night, over an icy road, with cows and deer resting on the warmer highway. Paul served as park historian and ended his tour of duty as Acting Superintendent, resulting in his receiving the first of many accolades with a Special Achievement Award.
From the high desert to the tropics, Paul and Diana transferred to Virgin Islands National Park with their duty station on St. Croix. Paul worked as historian at Christiansted National Historic Site which included Fort Christiansvaern, the world's largest masonry fort that never fired a shot in anger. He was also a patrol ranger at Buck Island Reef National Monument where he helped establish and maintain underwater trails. Paul muses, "It is hard to believe that I was paid for spending most of my time swimming."
Their second son, Philip, was born after a move to Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, Marietta, Georgia. Paul was the Park Historian and Environmental Education Specialist. He established environmental study areas within the park, in local communities and at nearby schools. He and Diana lived in the Kolb Farmhouse. It was built in 1837, used as a hospital during the Civil War Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, and where most residents (Guraedy's included) report having "unusual" experiences.
The next move was backward, timewise, to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Middlesboro, Kentucky. Paul likes to point out that he lived in Tennessee, drove across Virginia and worked in Kentucky. The three States met in the park. Paul assumed responsibility for the restoration of an isolated historical mountain community. A four wheel drive trail provided the only access. He became an instructor for living history demonstrations involving black powder weapons, a mentor for a new park ranger and greatly expanded the park's interpretive program..
Paul's next assignment provided a new location and a career change from interpretation to law enforcement. The Guraedys left Tennessee for Mississippi and the Natchez Trace Parkway where Paul served as a law enforcement ranger in the section from Jackson to Port Gibson. Paul attended the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Washington D.C. achieving the status of Distinguished Graduate. Diana served as unpaid dispatcher while Paul was on night patrol. She provided contact for wreckers, ambulances and made calls for backup to other law enforcement agencies.
This varied background resulted in his selection as Unit Manager for the Tucson Mountain Unit of Saguaro National Monument (now Park), Tucson, Arizona. Paul worked with the Community Outreach for the Deaf organization to develop a program providing work experience for hearing impaired young people. He instituted Young Adult Conservation Corps (YACC) and Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) programs and provided liaison with the Central Arizona Project which was building canals to bring water to Tucson. He entered an agreement with the Silver Bell Mine to rescue threatened Saguaro and Barrel cactus from an area to be strip mined. Paul received an increase in pay based on quality performance and an incentive award for development of a passive solar heating device. Diana volunteered with the Marana School system in their music education program. Paul and Diana were members of the committee for curriculum development in the Marana Schools.
Guraedy next served as Superintendent of Fossil Butte National Monument, Kemmerer, Wyoming. Paul, served on the Planning and Zoning Commission for Lincoln County. His law enforcement/management background led to a move from one side of the law (enforcement) to the other (judicial). He was appointed as a Judge for the Municipal Court system of Kemmerer, Wyoming (As he puts it, "Black Robes and all.”). Paul served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the J.C. Penney Foundation which administered the historic home of Mr. Penney. Diana worked for several private businesses before heading up the catalog department for the original JC Penney store. She left the business world to work in County Government with the Assessors Office for Lincoln County Wyoming. Paul guided formation of the park's General Management Plan, Interpretive Prospectus and plans for a Visitor Center/Maintenance complex.
Continuing in the West, Guraedy became Superintendent of Arches National Park, Moab, Utah. Paul was instrumental in development of a general management plan and establishing positive public relations with the local ranching community. Three major motion pictures and numerous television commercials presented unique management problems. Paul received the Department of Interior Honor Award for Superior Service. While in Moab, Diana was employed in private businesses before, again, returning to government work in the County Attorney's office for Grand County, Utah.
A move “back East” to serve as Superintendent of Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial was the next assignment for Paul. He worked to receive a private grant to restore a large portion of the park from fields to woodlands. He initiated a program to utilize minorities and Native Americans in the park's living history program. Much of his time at this assignment was spent working with local groups outside of the park. Paul received the Department of Interior's annual award for the advancement of Equal Opportunity. Diana returned to paid work in the parks as she went to work for the State of Indiana. She was employed first as a ranger at Lincoln State Park and then at the Colonel William Jones House Historic Site where she participated in living history programs..
Paul and Diana ended their time with the National Park Service at Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve near Eagle, Alaska. Management of this remote, 2.5 million acre, wilderness park was complicated with access only by plane, boat, snow machine and dog sled. During his time as Superintendent, Paul worked extensively with the U.S. Air Force to designate Military Operating Areas in the skies of Alaska. Shortly before his retirement, an F-16 crashed in the park dumping a large quantity of jet fuel in a tributary of the Charley River. Paul was actively involved in the clean-up of the crash site and nearby water ways. While in Alaska, Diana worked as a Volunteer In Parks at Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve and as a seasonal employee at Gates of the Arctic National Park.
Paul has provided leadership in a variety of non-governmental groups such as Kiwanis, Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, historical societies, environmental societies and law enforcement organizations.
Paul now limits his active participation with organizations to those involving woodcarving.
In 1995, Paul and Diana Guraedy retired to the ranch they call Whooping Hollow Woods. This 652 acre spread is located in an isolated hollow of the Ozarks Mountains of Arkansas. They were involved in raising cattle for several years when the gypsy lifestyle called again. The Guraedys were leasing the hunting rights on the ranch, so they sold their cattle, leased the pastures, bought a recreation vehicle and “hit the road.”
In 2008, David and Sunnie retired from the U.S. Air Force and relocated to Whooping Hollow Woods. David became "2nd generation park service" Information Technology Specialist for the nearby Buffalo National River.
In June 2012 the Guraedy Family moved 570 acres into an irrevocable trust that protects the land forever from development.
Diana stays busy with various needlework crafts while Paul does woodcarvings.
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