Paul Techasiriwan, 54, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, peacefully went to be with his Lord and Savior Sunday, June 22, 2025 surrounded by family, friends, and loved ones after a battle with colon and liver cancer.
Paul was born in Jersey City, NJ on Oct. 29, 1970, to Pin and Temtip Techasiriwan. When he was two years old, his family returned to Thailand to be near grandparents as they raised Paul and his two younger brothers. At a young age, Paul became interested in ping pong, and after practicing for an entire summer, he became the best player around. No one could beat his smooth moves when he stepped to the table. Paul was also an avid Manchester United F.C. fan, and cheered them on his entire life. He attended Saint Dominic School from first through twelfth grade and there he made lifelong friends. While in Thailand, Paul received his Bachelor of Chemical Engineering at King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi in Thailand. He then worked at Caltex as a sales engineer for two years. In 1995, he returned to the United States to attend the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, receiving his Master of Business Administration. It was at UTC that he befriended a lovely Thai girl named Grish, with whom God would write a beautiful love story. The two began dating while working at BCBST. Paul continued to work there for over 25 years, until his passing.
While he was in college, Paul attended a church in Chattanooga where he heard the Gospel. It was then that he believed in Christ as His Lord and Savior and was saved. Around that time he attended an outreach called “International Fellowship Ministry”. As he began learning to deeply study the Bible, he invited many people to join him. As a result, many others believed in Christ as their Lord and Savior as well.
Paul was a member of Woodland Park Baptist Church where he and his family have sat under the faithful teaching of the Word of God for many years. Paul and Grish married in this church in October 2002. The couple had two sons, Hayden and Heath, who would both become the apple of their dad's eye. Paul enjoyed cheering them on for soccer games, speeches, presentations, piano recitals, and church and school plays. While their sons were young, Paul took a special interest in their education and homeschooled Hayden and Heath for five years. He became one of the favorite parents in the homeschool co-op because of his joyful presence and encouragement to everyone. Paul had a servant's heart, always willing to quietly step in to help. He was also a gifted teacher who excelled in taking difficult concepts and explaining them in a way that was easy to understand. Being an avid reader, he enjoyed researching many things that interested him. He had a sharp mind and a quick wit, which made people chuckle at his funny jokes. Paul had impeccable grammar and pronunciation which he learned from his dad. He loved his dog (Reggie Techasiriwan). He also paid special attention to his plants, lawn, and trees. He grew and tended ten Japanese maples from small saplings to strong trees that still grace his yard today.
Paul was a good man, humble with strong character. He was always thoughtful, always helping others. People liked being around him. He was easy to love. Paul remembered the birthdays and other important dates of loved ones and friends. He was content with simple things putting the needs of others before his own. Paul's faith in Christ was the foundation of all he did. When he was diagnosed with cancer three and half years ago, he trusted the Lord with his future. He told his family and others, "God has a plan, God never makes a mistake". Through all the treatments and surgeries, he never complained. When his sweet wife would ask if he was suffering, he would always answer, "I am not suffering, Christ suffered the greatest for me". His eternal perspective gave him the peace to endure, and instead of seeing the pain of dying, he saw the blessings of God in his life - a loving wife, two fine sons, and many family and friends. His joy was in knowing that those who believe in Christ will be together in Heaven for eternity. Paul's heart of faith was at peace with God's greater purpose for his days on this earth. Just a few months after he learned he had cancer, Paul shared these verses that he clung to until his last breath:
Romans 8:38-39
"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Paul was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Iaijui Ouengtrakul.
He is survived by his loving wife of 22 years, Grishsadee Aon "Grish" Ouengtrakul, two sons, Hayden and Heath Techasiriwan, parents, Pin and Temtip Techasiriwan, mother-in-law, Kularb Ouengtrakul of Thailand, brothers, Piya "Pete" Techasiriwan (Panpaorn "Jan") Techasiriwan of Chattanooga, Piti Techasiriwan of Thailand, brother-in-law, Kidsda Ouengtrakul of Thailand, niece, Elle Techasiriwan and nephew, Ian Techasiriwan, along with several aunts and uncles.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, July 27, at 3 p.m. followed by a coffee and dessert visitation and fellowship with the family at Woodland Park Baptist Church, 6735 Standifer Gap Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421.
A special thanks to Paul’s parents for raising a wonderful man and to Don and Reba Holden and to Randy and Pam McNely for being a catalyst for Paul's spiritual growth in Christ.
Additional thanks to the following medical providers during Paul’s cancer battle:
Dr. Mark Womack; Tina Carden NP-C; Amy Latham, MSN, FNP-C; Melody A. Fryling, LCSW, GC-C; and the staff at Tennessee Oncology Medical Park II: Dr. Bunyan S. Dudley of Nashville, and Dr. Julie Koffron at University Surgical Associates.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made in the memory of Paul Techasiriwan to one of these three organizations:
Woodland Park Baptist Church Missions
https://woodlandpark.org/give
Baylor Boys Soccer Team
https://gofund.me/e6b605df
2008 Red Wolves ECNL Team
https://gofund.me/de1f1d49