E. Paul Enix

October 21, 1917 - December 15, 2006

    E. Paul Enix was one of the pioneers of modern secondary school instrumental music in the state of Oklahoma. In a career spanning five decades, Mr. Enix was responsible for the musical education of thousands of instrumental and string students. His training and guidance lead scores of his former students to follow him into musical education careers in colleges and secondary schools from Pennsylvania to California. Edwin Paul Enix was born in Ottawa County, October 21, 1917. He graduated from Miami High School in 1933 at the age of 16. Attending Oklahoma A&M College, he graduated in 1937 with honors. He was named the 'Outstanding Graduating Music Major'. After graduation, he married his college sweet-heart Juanita Sinclair of Stillwater, OK. Paul began his teaching career in 1937 in Konawa as the Director of Band and Orchestra. At that time, he was one of the youngest accredited teachers in the history of the state of Oklahoma. In the following years, he moved to similar positions in Pauls Valley and Ardmore. In 1946, following his military service where he was honored as the director of the 639th Army Air Corps Band, he was named the Director of Instrumental Music at East Central State College in Ada. In 1952, he left East Central to teach at Chickasha High School and the Oklahoma College of Liberal Arts. Later, in 1959, he moved to Midwest City having been named Director of Instrumental Music at Midwest City High School. He served in that position until he had to take medical retirement in 1979. During his storied career, Paul's bands complied an extraordinary record of Superior Ratings at Regional and State scholastic music contests. On numerous occasions, his bands were named as the 'Outstanding Band' in State and Southwest Regional music festivals. One of Paul's finest honors came in 1971 when he was awarded the A.R. McAllister 'MAC' Award, the highest national honor to be awarded to a Band Director in the U.S. This award was presented on national television at the half-time of the 'Game of the Century' Oklahoma vs Nebraska in Norman. Paul was later inducted into the prestigious American Bandmasters Association. He was also honored as the first active band director to be named to the Oklahoma Bandmasters Hall of Fame. Paul received several honors within the Mid-Del School District as Outstanding Teacher and a member of the district's Hall of Fame. Following his retirement in 1979, Mr. Enix continued to stay active in instrumental music through judging at music contests and festivals in the tristate area. He was also a popular guest clinician traveling to universities and high schools around the region. In his later years, he served as the Conductor, then Music Director, of the Oklahoma City Community Orchestra. Services for Mr. Enix were held on Tuesday, December 19, 2006 at the Wickline United Methodist Church in Midwest City where he had been a member for over 45 years. He was laid to rest in the Arlington Memory Gardens in Oklahoma City. Paul is survived by his son, Jim S. Enix of Philadelphia, PA; his wife, Citadel and their son Jeff. They would like to take this opportunity to offer their sincere thanks to his caregivers and the many family friends, colleagues, former students and members of the health care community who tirelessly gave of their time and efforts to support Mr. Enix. Plans are under way to celebrate the life and career of this extraordinary man, educator, musician and mentor at a memorial event to be held in Midwest City in early 2007. For information, please visit: www brassandivory.com or call 405-732-1033 after Jan.1st. Please check back as more details for the program become available. Barnes & Johnson Funeral Home 1820 S. Douglas Blvd Midwest City 733-2991