Paul Milton King

THE STORY OF AN ACTUAL SUPERHERO

Paul Milton King, 70, of Cumming, Georgia passed away January 7, 2021 surrounded by the large, loving family he created.

Paul was born July 29, 1950 in Murphy, North Carolina to Lonnie King and Bonnie Bell Burrell. He was the 5th of 7 children. His favorite boyhood pastimes were hunting coons, deer and spring lizards in the North Carolina mountains. We joke that Paul is the reason spring lizards are now endangered, because he was SO GOOD at catching them.

Paul's father, Lonnie, worked on various roads, bridges and dam projects including working with the Conservation Corp Camps and Tennessee Valley Authority to build the Fontana dam in Graham County, NC.
His mother, Bonnie, was a dedicated homemaker, who worked tirelessly to clothe and feed her family. In one instance, she killed a wild boar with nothing but a 22 rifle and a knife and fed that boar to her family...I'm not even kidding.
Upon his father's death in 1971, Paul vowed to take care of his mother for the rest of her life, and he did just that. She lived with Paul and his family until her death in 2005.

Paul found the love of his life in a rather unconventional way. His younger brother, David, married Phyllis Murphy in 1974. Together they had 3 children, David Lonnie, Heather Gayle and Frances Malena. David passed away suddenly in a tragic automobile accident on June 24, 1980 at the age of 26 - the same day his youngest daughter, Malena, was born. Upon David's death, Paul vowed to ensure that his brother's family would be taken care of for as long as he lived. He made sure that they had a home, food, and all other necessities, in addition to always making sure that Christmas morning was special for David's children. Before too long, Paul and Phyllis fell in love, got married and blessed the family with a 4th child, Paula Victoria.

Paul raised all 4 children with equal love and guidance, and taught them the meaning of hard work and perseverance.

Paul chose to do hard work that gave him a sense of accomplishment at the end of each day and owned a construction site clearing and excavating business, working alongside his much beloved cousin, Leroy, until his retirement.

Upon his retirement, Paul purchased a beautiful plot of creekfront property in Ellijay GA, where he and Phyllis would spend most of their free time. Paul worked tirelessly improving the property until it fit his vision of paradise. He and Phyllis hosted several family gatherings on the property and made many great memories with their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Paul enjoyed many of the same hobbies that he did as a boy, in adulthood, including hunting nearly everything in the woods with his best buddy, Brian Revis. Brian came into his life in 2001, when he began dating Paul's youngest daughter, Paula. They became best buds right away and had a very special bond. Brian and Paula went on to get married, which made Paul very happy. Paul also enjoyed raising, training and showing coon dogs, fishing with his late brother, Melvin, singing karaoke, making people laugh, playing with his grandchildren and great grandchildren and giving to those in need.

Paul's generosity was boundless and unconditional. Whenever someone had a need, he would do his best to provide it. No matter the need or his relationship to the person, he would have given until it hurt and then given some more.
Paul is survived by his wife, Phyllis, of 40 years, son and daughter-in-law David and Jessica King, daughters and sons-in-law Heather and Scott Bailey, Malena and Rob Blankenship and Paula and Brian Revis, sister Sue (Spencer) Banks, granddaughters Crystal (Gregory) Revis, Katie Bailey, Haley Pickelsimer and Brianna Revis, grandsons Justin (Chelsea) King and Corey (Emma) Bailey, great granddaughters Natalie and Autumn Revis, great grandsons Everett and Lawson Bailey (Due February 2021), and many extended family.

Preceding him in death, were his Father and Mother, Lonnie and Bonnie King, His brothers David and Melvin King, his sister Mary Bates, his nephew Matthew Bates and 2 infant siblings...a boy and a girl.

His grandchildren and great grandchildren brought so much joy to his life and in his final days, he spent precious moments with each of them that will never be forgotten.

All who knew Paul well, knew that he had no quit in him, which is further evidenced by the valiant fight he put up against cancer. In the end, when God was ready for Paul, he told him "There's no need to fight anymore. You're a winner either way." and took Paul into his arms for the journey to heaven.

Paul was a truly special and wonderful man and will be missed by every life he has ever touched, which was a great many.

A special thank you to the wonderful nurses and staff of Northside Hospital Cherokee of Canton, Georgia and Seasons Hospice of Cumming, Georgia for their loving care and support during his final days. Also, the family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude to Ingram Funeral Home of Cumming, Georgia for being very accommodating and facilitative during this difficult time.

The family will receive friends and relatives on Tuesday, January 12 from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM at Ingram Funeral Home in Cumming. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 13 at 11:00 AM with Pastor Barry Payne officiating. Paul will be laid to rest on the family property in Ellijay, Georgia immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, take your best coon dogs out for a hunt - he would have wanted that.

The following sweet little 'Ode to Paw-Paw' was written by Paul's Granddaughter, Crystal Revis. It may not make total sense to the average reader, but those who knew him well, know that it is very fitting for Paul's obituary.

Penny-pinching, negotiating, hardworking,
car fixing, oh-that-baby loving,
Cherokee trip taking, hat wearing, country legend PawPaw

Love! 'Morrow!
Woop woop woop woop woop