Paul Louis [Paul] Abel (23/11/1926 - 12/01/2016), an American teacher and composer from Clarksdale (Mississippi), United States of America. Paul Louis Abel II, was born on November 23rd 1926, in the northern Mississippi delta town of Clarksdale, and he peacefully passed to the Lord on January 12, 2016. Paul was a jovial, fun loving man who loved life. He enjoyed people, good food, and a wide range of activities, but was best known as a gifted musician. Mr. Abel matriculated from the Eastman School of Music in 1950 where he studied trumpet, music theory, and composition. Upon the completion of his studies he embarked on an academic and performing career at the University of Montana in Missoula. In 1954 Abel arrived at the Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge to serve as Assistant Professor of trumpet and theory. He served as the Assistant Dean for the School of Music from 1969-1971, and as a member of the Athletic Counsel c. 1981-1985. While at LSU, he joined the Baton Rouge Symphony where he performed as first trumpeter for fourteen years. After thirty-three years teaching music theory, orchestration, composition, and trumpet, Mr. Abel retired in 1987 as a full professor. During his career, Paul Abel was renowned for selecting and refining music as part of the worship services on Sundays and other important ecclesiastical feasts. His churches included St. Aloysius, Broadmoor Presbyterian and St. Thomas More. In addition, Abel composed numerous orchestral works including the Vignette for Orchestra for which he won the prestigious Edward Benjamin Prize. His works were also performed by the Timm Woodwind Quintet, and the University Brass Ensemble. Abel's Misa brevis pro defunctis performed by the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra and Choral Society conducted by Victor Klimash, is his most auspicious work. His composition, Idyll, written in memory of his eldest son Paul III, was featured in a celebratory performance of the Baton Rouge Symphony on November 19, 2009. A partial collection of his works can be found at www.paullouisabel.comwww.paullouisabel.com>. Paul Louis Abel II was a dedicated and nurturing father who had five sons: Paul Louis III, Mark (Jean), Charles, Andrew, and Leo (Kimberly), and he was also a loving father to his step daughter, Lisa (Ben). He was pre-deceased by Paul III, and Andrew, but his beloved wife of forty-eight years, Genevieve, and his living children and grandchildren survive to celebrate and remember his life. In all, Paul Louis Abel II had eleven grandchildren: Christopher Dudley, Matthew (Elaine) and Brian Abel, Paul Louis Abel IV, Jason and Michael Abel, Amanda and Emily Hattaway, Matthew Alexander, Ian, and Estelle Abel. His eight great grandchildren are Julia, Charlie, Alexis, Grayson, and Gaston Dudley, Marshall Moore, Cynthia and Shaun Abel. He will be remembered for his ebullient spirit, his wit, intelligence and for his unwavering dedication to family and of course, for his enduring contributions to music in the form of original compositions, pedagogy, directorships and performances.