Fund Purpose 
Provides scholarships to graduating Harrison County high school seniors. Recipients must have a major related to social service, medical or mortuary, have attended a Harrison County high school for two years and have been a county resident for two years.

Fund Story
The family of the late Paul Cesar celebrates his life with this memorial scholarship that benefits Harrison County graduating seniors each year.  This scholarship is awarded to an individual whose major is in the social services, medical or mortuary fields.

Paul was born October 3, 1948 in Wheeling, West Virginia, the son of Mary Ann Joseph Cesar of Corydon and William Thomas Cesar.  He graduated from the Kentucky School of Mortuary Science in 1970 and bought Joe Steenbergen’s funeral home in Corydon in 1983 which later became Beanblossom-Cesar Funeral Home.  Paul was elected three times to serve as Harrison County Coroner.

Paul was a member of the Harrison County Democratic Party, Corydon Rotary Club, Corydon Kiwanis Club, Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, National Funeral Director’s Association and the Indiana State Coroner’s Association.  He served as Treasurer and  board member of the Harrison County Public Library.  Paul also organized the Harrison County Fair Parade for many years.

Paul was married to the former Juanita Walker for 31 years.  They had two children together, Chad and Leanne.  Paul died on December 30, 2001 of lung cancer at the age of 53.

“Dad liked to dress up as Santa every Christmas and go to the local nursing homes to entertain and pass out gifts to the residents.  When he got home, he would always have a big smile on his face and lots of stories to tell.  I believe that he enjoyed being with the people of his community every bit as much as they did.  He always felt very grateful for the support he received from his community, and in turn he wanted to serve it as much as he could, whether it be playing Santa, participating in the annual March of Dimes “Lock Up”, bagging groceries for the American Cancer Society, or simply spending time with his family.”

It is in his spirit of service that we would like to present this memorial scholarship.---Juanita, Chad and Leanne

Scholarship Recipients:
2005: Adam Phillips
2006: Amanda M. Schmelz Beamer
2007: Jessika Pruitt
2008: Brandi Auberry
2009: Matthew Bruce
2010: Della Bowens
2011: Joseph Kissel
2012: Brittany Sanders
2013: Justin Miller
2014: Micah Lane
2015: Joshua Peterson
2016: Kaitlyn Butler
2017: Savannah Greyhawk
2021: Karsyn Windell
2022: Emma Bailey