Paul E. Junk passed away peacefully with his family, on March 7th, 2023. Paul was born on July 30th, 1936, to Thomas Junk and Anna Krier in Osborne, KS. Paul was the youngest of 13 who have all preceded him in death. He graduated in 1955 from J.K. Mullen High School in Fort Logan, CO,   where he was very active in sports. In 1956 he joined the US Navy where he served honorably.

He moved to Salina, KS in his early 20s, where he met and married his wife, Carol Albers. They were married for 59 years and had two children, Mike, and Michelle. In 1969, Paul started a cabinet company, Crestwood Inc. The business originated out of a small shop in south Salina and grew into a burgeoning custom cabinet business that is known nationwide and employs around 150 people in the Salina area. Paul was not afraid of taking risks and pursing what he did best, building things and working with his hands. He had an uncanny ability to imagine a tool for a particular purpose and invent it himself. He decided to start the business after having to discard low quality cabinets that he had ordered for a house he was building.  He said to himself, “If they can build them that bad, I can too” and that’s how it started.

Paul demonstrated tremendous dedication and devotion to his family, community, and church. He was a devout Catholic and was active in Saint Mary’s Parish throughout his life. Paul served on the board of directors for several Salina businesses and charities. He was inducted into the Salina Business Hall of Fame in 2008, which honors small business leaders who have made extraordinary contributions to Salina. He was a member of Salina Country Club and was an avid golfer throughout his life.

Paul was a loving and supportive husband and father. He was blessed with six beautiful grandchildren, five of which lived down the block and often spent more time at their grandparent’s house than their own. Paul was an outstanding role model for his entire family. He instilled the value of hard work, humility, forgiveness, and love. Indeed, he left the world a better place.

He is survived by his wife, Carol Junk of Salina KS; his children Michelle (Katrina Schulze) Haines of Kansas City, Mike (Katie) Junk of Salina; six grandchildren, Haley (Will) Humphrey of Kansas City, Hannah Junk of Omaha NE, Kyler, Elyse, Tessa, and Eli Junk of Salina.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Saint Mary’s Parish Saturday March 11th at 10 am. Burial will be held at the All Saints Catholic Cemetery. Visitation celebrating Paul’s life will be held at Ryan Mortuary on Friday March 10th from 5pm-7pm. Vigil services will be held at 7pm.

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to Saint Mary’s Grade School and Sacred Heart Jr./Sr. High School

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples” – Mother Teresa