Paul Roberts Gearheart was born July 23rd, 1925, near the head of Toler Creek, a tributary of Big Mud Creek. The family moved to what is now Harold in 1930. He has lived there ever since. He married Elaine Ward, his wife of 60 years, a loyal and dedicated partner, of Boones Camp, Johnson County, Kentucky in 1953. They have three children, Stephen [deceased], Paul Douglas and Susan Gearheart Schmoldt. They have 6 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

He attended Harold Grade School and graduated from Betsy Layne High School Valedictorian of the Class of 1943. In July 2010, Paul was inducted into the 2010 Betsy Layne Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is graduates who have excelled in their lives and contributed greatly to community and society. The Gearheart’s bought Roberts/Olga Telephone Company serving 72 customers with crank phone in 1953. The company now services 40,000 subscribers in parts of 3 states and parts of six counties in Kentucky. Gearheart Communications and related companies have over 165 employees.

He is a member of the Church of Christ.