L. Paul Kays Jr. LTC (Retired) 84 of 121 Lazy Cove Lane Chapin widow of Barbara Ann McLaughlin Kays died Sunday December 25 2005 at the Lexington Medical Center.Mr. Kays was born on September 11 1921 in Netcong NJ a son of the late Leon P. and Martha Coppersmith Kays. He received his BS degree in mechanical engineering from Rutgers University in 1943. He was an Army Air Corp. Veteran of WW II having been stationed in England and Scotland. He retired from the Air Force as Lieutenant Colonel. He retired from Westinghouse with over 40 years of service. While working with Westinghouse he was assigned to military contracts which included designing Navy fighter jets and designing the Navy's first nuclear reactors. He was a member of the Air Force Association the Irmo-Chapin Recreation Commission and the Shepherd's Center. Mr. Kays is survived by four daughters Martha Ann Hruska of Gainesville FL Karen Ann Kays of Columbia SC Barbara "Barbie" Carde' of Columbia and Susanne May Copeland of Irmo SC; two sons Gregory Paul Kays of Santa Rosa CA and Mark Paul Kays of Gadsden SC; one sister Joan M. Kays of Mariposa CA; 15 grandchildren Emily Hruska Anne Hruska Matthew Hruska Cassandra Kays Leon Paul Kays III Nicholas Scofield Michael Scofield Aaron Carde' Hallie Carde' Leif Kays Seth Kays Michelle Copeland Magen Copeland Luke Copeland and Jenna Copeland; and one great grandchildren August Scofield.A mass for the family were held t 9:00 A.M. at Our Lady of Hills Catholic Church in Columbia by Father Anthony Droze and Memorial services were conducted at 1:00 P.M. Wednesday at Whitaker Funeral Home Chapin by the Rev. Clarence Stucke. Mr. Kays donated his body to the Medical University of S.C.The family was at the his residence 121 Lazy Cove Lane ChapinIn lieu of flowers memorials may be made to a charity of one's choice.Honorary pallbearers were Noel McLaughlin Col. Clyde (Cy) Strain (Ret) Dr. Harold Cole Edward Layden Dr. Harold Park Wayne Gunter and Bill Bowen.Messages to the family may be sent via email at notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com.Whitaker Funeral Home Chapin is assisting the family.