ADVANCE, Mo. -- Paul McFerron passed away Tuesday, March 23, 2021, at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis after an extended battle with cancer.

He was born May 25, 1959, in Cape Girardeau to Kenneth and Carol Corbin McFerron. He married his high school sweetheart, April Hiett McFerron, on Aug. 15, 1980 in Advance. She was his greatest love and partner in life for more than 40 years.

Paul graduated from Advance High School in 1977 and received a bachelor's degree in agriculture and economics from Southeast Missouri State University in 1980. He attended graduate school at the University of Missouri in Columbia before returning home to farm.

Paul spent his career working alongside his father, Kenneth, and brother, Kenny McFerron, as the co-owner of McFerron Brothers Farms. He was also an active member of the Advance community, serving on the local school board and as a deacon and song leader at the First Baptist Church of Advance. Above all, Paul was a kind, gentle and good-hearted Christian man who was defined by his love for his family and his faith in Jesus Christ.

Paul is survived by his wife, April McFerron of Advance; daughter, Whitney McFerron (Vincent Olivier) of Lille, France; son, Matthew McFerron of St. Louis; granddaughter, Louise Olivier of Lille; parents, Kenneth and Carol McFerron of Advance; sister, Jeana (Wayne) Berron of St. Charles, Missouri; sister-in-law, Jan McFerron of Cape Girardeau; and numerous nieces, nephews, family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Kenny McFerron, and infant brother, Phillip McFerron.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 27 at Morgan Funeral Home in Advance.

Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 28 at First Baptist Church in Advance, with the Rev. Eric Shrum officiating. Burial will be at Morgan Memorial Park in Advance.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.