There is hardly one word or sentiment that can capture the essence of Paul Dillingham. He was deeply spiritual, and wise, he was romantic and loving, and he was encouraging and upbeat.
"He was just the best of so many things," said Doris Stockman, a daughter who lives in Cumming.
Barbara Rosson Dillingham's voice took on a girlish quality when she talked about meeting the man she would eventually marry. They were in the same graduating class at the University of Kentucky and they dated during their senior year, but went their separate ways after graduating in 1950.
"We said our goodbyes and I went back to D.C. and he had a job in Kentucky," she said, matter-of-factly. "But on the 4th of July, I got a telegram from him and it said, 'Keep the coffee hot, I'm coming,' and we got pinned that weekend and got married the following April."
The couple eventually had three daughters, and enjoyed more than 61 years of marriage.
Paul L. Dillingham Jr., of Marietta, died Sunday at St. Joseph's Hospital from complications of a post-surgical infection. He was 84. His body has been cremated and a memorial service is planned for 2 p.m., July 27 at Peachtree Presbyterian Church, Atlanta. SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society was in charge.
A native of Madisonville, Ky., Mr. Dillingham enlisted in the Army after he graduated from high school. After his military service was complete, and after college graduation, he worked for the Kentucky Department of Revenue. Mr. Dillingham shared with his wife a thought of living in Atlanta and working for a company like Coca-Cola, but he never applied for a job there. But, by divine chance, Mr. Dillingham got a job in Atlanta in 1957, with another company, and Coke came calling when there was an opening in the tax department, she said.
"God has always been at work in our lives," Mrs. Dillingham said.
Mr. Dillingham worked at Coke for 27 years, his family said. During his time with the company, he served as the assistant treasurer, vice-president and director of taxes, they said. His position with Coke also gave him access to several local and national organizations, which he stayed connected to after his retirement from the company in 1984. The Salvation Army of Metro Atlanta was one of those organizations. He started working with them in 1975 and continued to participate with the local advisory board, until recently. In 2006, he had the distinction of being named a life member of the local advisory board, said friend Phil Leonard.
"He was a trusted friend of The Salvation Army," said Mr. Leonard, who is the organization's major gifts manager. "Paul could always offer wisdom in just about every situation. He was such a great encourager."
Mr. Dillingham was the master of positive thinking, Mrs. Stockman said.
"When my sisters and I would get flustered, or when any of the children got upset, he'd immediately look for the good in the situation and say something like, 'Hang in there, all is not lost,'" she said. "He was so reassuring, always."
In addition to his wife and daughter, Mr. Dillingham is survived by a second daughter, Debbie Mahoney of Alpharetta; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
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