'Iron lung' man Paul Alexander is buried with ashes of beloved caretaker Kathy after laughter-filled Dallas funeral where he was eulogized as fun-loving world traveler who even joined Hells Angels

The world knew him as 'Polio Paul,' a man kept alive in an iron lung since 1952, but at his funeral Wednesday, friends revealed a man who they called 'a force' whose remarkable life could not be contained by the medical chamber he lived in.

Paul Alexander, 78, died a week ago in Dallas, Texas after living in a negative pressure ventilator for 70 years.

Since he was struck with polio as a child, Alexander depended on the machine to survive.

At his funeral, Alexander's brother revealed he would be buried alongside the ashes of his longtime partner and caretaker Kathy Mary Gaines.

Gaines died recently after taking care of Alexander for 35 years.

Paul Alexander, 78, died a week ago in Dallas, Texas after living in a negative pressure ventilator for 70 years. Pictured: Mourners line his grave, where he was laid to rest on Wednesday

Alexander was buried immediately after with his love Kathy. A headstone with both their names was waiting for them

Paul Alexander died aged 78 after an extraordinary life in an iron lung

A headstone was prepared with both of their names on it - as well as an etching of Alexander in his infamous lung machine.  

During some periods of Alexander's life, he was able to spend short intervals out of the chamber as he eventually learned how to breathe on his own for short times.

At 21, he became the first person to graduate from a high school in Dallas without ever attending class in person.

He was accepted into Southern Methodist University in Dallas, after much difficulty with university administration and then got into law school at the University of Texas, Austin.

He pursued his dreams of becoming a trial lawyer, and represented clients in court in a three-piece suit.

Paul practiced law in North Texas for 30 years, known as a fixture in the Dallas County Courthouse where he was regularly seen in the hallways in special wheelchair that could hold him upright since he was paralyzed from the neck down.

A friend and former driver, Daniel Spinx spoke about meeting Alexander after he answered in an ad in the paper for a lawyer who need a driver to take them to court.

Among his many clients, Paul represented some Hells Angels, who became so close to him, they made him an honorary member of the motorcycle gang.

Alexander was laid to rest in Dallas in funeral on Wednesday 

Mourners of Paul Alexander, the man who lived most of his life in an iron lung, greave at his funeral in Dallas

Family and friends pay their respects to the man known as iron lung because of the machine he lived in

Mourners hold back tears at the funeral on Wednesday. At his funeral, Alexander's brother revealed he would be buried alongside the ashes of his longtime partner and caretaker Kathy Mary Gaines 

Flowers are placed at the funeral of Alexander in Texas

'He loved the ladies,' Spinx told the 50 mourners gathered in an East Dallas funeral home Wednesday.

'He stopped by court flower shop and would go to court clerks and give them all flowers.'

Spinx knew Alexander for 24 years and described him as a proud Texan who enjoyed a good steak and country music.

'Paul was my mentor. He always helped me without judging me. He was my best friend,' Spinx tearfully recounted.

'Paul sacrificed everything for every body. I can't wait to see Paul running around with Jesus,' his friend said.

As loved ones shuffled past the casket to pay their last respects, the song 'Iris' by the Goo Goo Dolls played

Paul Alexander pictured with his beloved brother Philip. In a heartbreaking Facebook tribute, Philip called his sibling 'loving' and 'also a pain in the as**'

Over an extraordinary lifetime, Paul was able to travel, study the law and author a book

A neighbor and friend described Alexa, the voice AI machine, as one of Alexander's most prized possessions— describing hearing him constantly asking it to play music for him.

'He was the only one who get away with blasting his music without anyone complaining,' the neighbor explained about their community.

Another former caretaker who only wanted to be identified as Mann, said Alexander taught him how to read and do math after he began working for him.

'He taught me how to think. He taught me how to be a man,' he said.

'He taught me, 'If I can do it, you can do it.'

After a brief Greek Orthodox service, friends and family members took turns sharing stories about the accomplished man who was a mentor and counselor to so many.

'He's unencumbered and untethered now,' said another friend. 'This life has ended for Paul and his glorious new life has started in heaven.'

As loved ones shuffled past the casket to pay their last respects, the song 'Iris' by the Goo Goo Dolls played.

Alexander was buried immediately after with his love Kathy.

A headstone with both their names was waiting for them.