Unstoppable Love...Enduring Legacy

By John Allen

Alva, Oklahoma in January 1954. A beautiful princess from Korea steps onto campus and soon meets the sheriff’s son from Elkhart, Kansas.

Woo Yeun Lie (Lee) left her native Korea and traveled across the globe to see the promise of an excellent education in music. Jess Paul – a tall, dark-haired, all-American athlete and education major – spots the shy but elegant beauty across the cafeteria and moves to begin a conversation.

And their love story began.

ABOVE: Jess D. Paul, ‘55, and Woo Yeun Lie, a former international student at Northwestern, were married in Northwestern’s chapel on Nov. 23, 1954.

Woo Yeun Lie (Lee), was born on March 18, 1929, to a family of aristocracy and prominence. Her father, Cap Chu Lie, was the mayor of Seoul, Korea, during the Korean conflict. Historically, this position was considered one of the most powerful in the country. Lie’s political rise secured his family’s already affluent lifestyle.

Presently, there is a general recognition of royal lineage in Korea; during Lie’s mayoral position, however, formal titles were given to the offspring of specific dignitaries. Lie’s children were recognized as princes and princesses. Lee recalls the environment of luxury she once had.

“I never had to brush my own hair or dress myself,” Lee revealed. “We had servants who did everything for us.”

Lee grew accustomed to meeting famous people. Generals Maxwell Taylor, James A. Van Fleet and Douglas MacArthur were just a few of the many notable individuals who visited her father at their palace. Then United States Vice President Richard Nixon also was a guest who stayed at the family’s summer palace, located near the 38th parallel north in the mountainous countryside.

Lee, a gifted pianist, was attending school in Switzerland while her father was considering her next academic step. Versailles was one option. His secretary at the time, Dr. Chun, had a brother who had attended Northwestern to earn his undergraduate degree in science before going to medical school.

“My father’s secretary said ‘you must send your daughter to Northwestern in America’. He said it was a wonderful school with excellent teachers. He also spoke about the town of Alva and how friendly Oklahomans were.”

After arriving at Northwestern, Lee remembers remaining in her dorm suite when not in class. A friend persuaded her to explore the American culture.

“My friend, Lila Goodnight, said to me, ‘Lee, you’ve got to get out of your room! There are people who want to meet you. And, there are several young men who would like to get to know you.’ I told her that I could never go out with anyone from the area, as my family would disown me! Lila said, ‘Your family is clear across the ocean…they’ll never find out.’”

Lee joined Goodnight and went to the cafeteria to stand in line for their meals. Soon, students walked by and introduced themselves, including several young male students. Of these young men showing interest during the next few weeks, one was planning to go to medical school, another had aspirations for law, and two others came from prosperous backgrounds.

But the man who stole Lee’s heart did not come from wealth. Jess Paul was, according to Lee, “dirt poor”. He lost his father – the town sheriff – early in his life, and his mother worked several jobs to raise Jess and his two sisters.

Paul immediately impressed Lee because, unlike the other suitors, he was not interested in her affluent, privileged lifestyle. He was interested in what she wanted to do with her life. She quickly learned that Paul was focused on a career where he could make a difference in the lives of young people.

Many tried to persuade Lee not to date Paul. Dr. Myrna Boyce, dean of women at the time, called Lee to her office and tactfully told her that she needed to set her sights higher. Toward the end of the conversation, Boyce asked Lee, “Do you understand what I’m saying and why it is so important?” With composure and determination wrapped in respect, Lee thanked her for her concern and then said, “I will not change my mind.”

LEFT: Lee shows her traditional Korean wear while a student at Northwestern.

On November 23, 1954, Lee and Paul were married in the Northwestern chapel, with Professor C.E. Campbell, dean of men, escorting the bride down the aisle. The Alva community surrounded the couple with support and well wishes, which softened the pain from her family’s unwillingness to approve of the marriage.

With his physical education diploma in hand, Paul taught and coached in several Kansas school districts before serving as principal and/or superintendent at Peyton, Colo., and the Kansas communities of Wilmore, Bluff City, Dorrance, Chase and Bazine. Like many educators, Paul recognized the needs beyond the classroom. Quietly and without disclosure, he would buy athletic shoes for students who could not afford them. Many times he took money out of his own pocket to ensure that lunches were available for children from struggling families.

“I know his loving, determined mother and the encouragement from his college professors helped shape the inspiring role model who I called Dad,” said Nancy Nance, one of the Pauls’ three children.

Lee managed the transition from royalty to teacher’s wife with grace, tenacity, a few fumbles and much laughter.

“In the beginning, Jess knew where he could order great food at the last minute in the event my dinner couldn’t be served to our guests,” Lee confessed with a smile.

In the 1970s, Lee received a sizeable monetary gift from a family member. Rather than spend it on a trip abroad – as several friends suggested – or other luxuries, Lee knew she needed to “invest it well.” And, that, she did.

Lee found 160 acres of Kansas farmland and purchased the property at public auction. Her husband was less than impressed with her purchase. But Lee’s penchant for quick resolution and her sense of humor prevailed.

“On the trip back home, Jess said it was not good farmland and continued to tell me I had thrown away my money.”

The criticism was unrelenting. The former princess controlled her reaction.

“I looked around the car and found a box of Kleenex. I pulled out one tissue, tore it in half and then wadded up both halves. I stuck one half in one ear and the second half in my other ear. The rest of the ride home was pleasant.”

Lee further explained, “What my dear husband did not realize was that there was oil and gas under that poor dirt.”

The original 160-acre investment has grown to 800 acres, some with oil and gas production. This turn of good fortune was just the beginning of a lifestyle change for the Paul family.

When Paul left the education field, he began a second career as a diplomatic consultant in Tokyo. Lee enjoyed the return to beautiful gowns and state dinners, while “Jess hated dressing in tuxedos.”

Paul also traveled through Asia and the Middle East, remitting reports on the development of third-world countries. During one investigative trip, he discovered local officials were selling grain shipments received from CARE – the humanitarian organization with the mission to “serve individuals and families in the poorest communities in the world” – to wealthy merchants who then resold the grain. The poor never received the grain. Paul’s reporting led to an investigation and reform.

After two years of the international assignment, the Pauls returned to the United States to allow their children to finish their education in their native country. Paul passed at the age of 84 on May 18, 2014, leaving Lee, daughters Margaret Paul and Nancy, son Jess Paul, Jr., and three grandchildren to carry on the legacy of love, commitment and humor that he and Lee began.

Jess Paul stands in front of Northwestern’s Fine Arts building on graduation day in 1955.

The love and good-natured joking continued at Paul’s funeral. Often he would ask Lee to promise him that she would bury his money with him, because, as he put it, “It will do as much good in my casket as what you will spend it on.” Finally, she agreed to his wishes.

In her words: “I simply wrote him a check and placed it with him in his casket.”

Today, Lee continues to live with the spirit, the determination and the satisfaction that she married the man whom she was destined to share her life.

“He was a great man.”

And she remains, forever, a Ranger.

“I love Northwestern. I love the people of Alva; they were so good to me. My time there was a time of joy.”

Crossing her arms over her heart, she proclaims, “I am an Okie.”

Yes, Lee, you are.

– Woo Yeun Lie (Lee)

In retirement and reflecting on his career as an educator, Jess Paul told his daughter, Nancy Nance, that he hoped he had made a difference in the life of a child.

ABOVE: Jess Paul pictured from the 1955 Northwestern yearbook.

“I sure hope I did,” he said.

A short time later, he received a letter from a former high school student.

As a student, this young man had much going against a chance of success. His home life was dysfunctional, and he was destined to follow other family members into a life of jail time and poor choices.

In his letter to his former teacher, he shared that “Mr. Paul” had made a significant, life-changing impact on him. As a student, he watched and listened to Paul. The encouragement from Paul’s lips and actions penetrated deeper into the young man’s soul than the chaos he found at home. Eventually, he went to college and earned his education degree. He told his mentor that he was now teaching and coaching, following Paul’s career path. Before he ended his letter, the former student revealed another bit of information. He asked Paul to recall when he first arrived to begin his tenure at the school, someone had poured sugar into his gas tank. That someone was the author of the letter.

In the character of a “great man”, Paul laughed while remarking, “I always wondered who did that.” In his heart was forgiveness and humility.

Jess Paul’s legacy of making a difference continues for countless generations.