Paul Henry Biscontine

Paul Henry Biscontine, age 91, of Jackson, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at the Christian Care Center of Medina, with his beloved daughter and friends by his side. He was born during the Great Depression on July 15, 1933, in Rock Island, Illinois, to Henry and Anne Peters Biscontine. He lived a life rich in hard work, service, and dedication.

Paul was incredibly intelligent and could do most anything. At a young age, he was very curious and intrigued with how things worked and often took them apart to find out. He had paper routes, built a radio, and made a stoplight for neighborhood play that impressed the Eagle Signal Co. who promised him a job when he was old enough. As a teen, he worked for a TV shop and excelled in repair, worked with his dad building houses, and successfully wired his sister’s house.

Paul was drafted and proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957 at the end of the Korean Conflict, achieving the rank of Specialist 3rd Class and earning the Good Conduct Medal. He was very fortunate to visit at least 20 countries with Army buddies during his time in the military. He built and operated a radio station for a short time when stationed in Germany, which served to improve morale. He told many interesting stories about his travels and time in Europe.

Paul graduated from Rock Island High School in 1951 and grew up attending Bettendorf (IA) Assembly of God (now First Assembly) and Moline Gospel Temple. He studied at Central Bible Institute in Springfield, MO and later at North Central Bible College (now North Central University) in Minneapolis, MN where he earned a Diploma in Bible & Theology. He served as an Assemblies of God pastor in Illinois, and again in Tennessee after moving here in 1960.

In the 1970s he established Biscontine Television Sales & Service (formerly Kee’s TV) at N. Highland and Campbell, housed in an aged building owned by Woodman of the World and previously used as a post office. In 1983, he purchased and demolished the two nearby taverns, built Curtis Mathes Home Entertainment Center, bought the WOW building, moved out and then demolished it. He was very proud of the building and how it upgraded the Highland Park Community.

He is survived by his loving family, daughter Deborah A. Smith of Jackson, grandson William “JT” Smith of Olympia, WA, and sisters Ruth Anderson and Mary Ann Von Ahnen, both of Moline, IL. He will also be greatly missed by several close friends.

Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by son-in-law William “Gary” Smith, and nephew David Anderson.

An informal gathering will be held Saturday, January 25, 2025, beginning at 12:30 p.m., followed by a time of sharing and Celebration of Life at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of Arrington Funeral Directors. Family and friends are warmly invited to join in sharing and celebrating Paul’s remarkable life and the impact he had on everyone around him.

For those unable to attend the service it will be available through our livestream at arringtonfuneraldirectors.com.