By Con Marshal, Chadron State CollegePaul D. Empson of Chadron, who served as a District Court judge in northwest Nebraska for nearly 27 years, died at his home early Sunday morning, October 18, with his wife and daughter nearby. He was 79. A memorial service will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Chadron Berean Church. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday at Chamberlain Chapel. Empson was born September 21, 1941 at Concordia, Kansas, to Loran Ralph and Viola May (Boger) Empson. He was an all-around athlete in high school, graduating in 1959. He earned a degree in business from the University of Kansas in 1963.Empson and Martha Ramsey were married Dec. 9, 1962 while they were attending KU. They were blessed with two children, Mark, who lives in Connecticut, and Laura of Chadron. A year after receiving his bachelor’s degree, Empson enrolled at the University of Kansas Law School and graduated with a Juris Doctorate degree in 1967. As Empson was nearing graduation, Laurice Margheim, the Box Butte County attorney, hired Empson to become the deputy county attorney and a law partner.After Gov. Charles Thone appointed Empson to become a 16th Judicial District judge beginning October 1, 1980, the family moved to Chadron. He filled that position until retiring June 30, 2007. Shortly after arriving in Chadron, through the encouragement of Frank Van Campen, pastor of the Berean Church, Empson accepted Jesus Christ as his savior, changing his life forever for the better.Always an avid reader, he studied the Bible thoroughly and within a few years was leading Bible studies and teaching Sunday school classes. He and his wife became active members of Gideons International in 2011.His daughter noted that when he watched sports on television he nearly always rooted for the underdogs unless they were the Kansas Jayhawks. Other special pastimes included both big game and turkey hunting, target shooting, playing tennis and traveling with Martha by motorcycle from coast-to-coast. He loved his family and made sure they took many vacations together. Besides his wife and two children, he is survived by a sister, Carole Blixt, and her husband, Lennie, of Chapman, Kan. Pastor Van Campen will return to conduct the memorial service. The nine children of Daryl and Stephanie Regier of Chadron will serve as honorary pallbearers. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery. Chamberlain Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Berean Church and Gideons.

Former district Judge Paul Empson passes away in Chadron