Raymond Lamar Paul

Raymond Lamar Paul, age 67, of Rome, Georgia, passed away on October 12, 2026. Born on December 28, 1958, in Americus, Georgia, Raymond lived a life defined by his love for family, his servant’s heart, and his unwavering willingness to lend a hand to anyone in need. Raymond was preceded in death by his parents, Fred Lamar Paul and Barbara Sewell Paul; his brother, David Alan Paul; and his nephew, Michael Alan Paul. He is survived by his daughter, Kristie Paul Cook of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; his two beloved grandchildren, John Thomas Cook and Willa Ray Cook; and his siblings, Lynn Paul Owen of Chipley, Florida, Wayne Paul of Alvin, Texas, and Karen Paul Salmond of Roswell, Georgia. He also leaves behind many cherished nieces, nephews, lifelong friends, and fellow Corvair enthusiasts across the country and his canine companion, Daisy.

Above all else, Raymond was a devoted Dad and Pop. Few things brought him greater joy than supporting his daughter and grandchildren. He traveled countless miles throughout the Southeast to cheer on John Thomas at baseball games and Willa Ray at horse shows. No distance was too far, and no event was too small when it came to being there for the people he loved. Raymond’s love affair with Chevrolet Corvairs began at an early age. He purchased his first Corvair long before he was legally old enough to drive and went on to own many throughout his lifetime. His passion for these unique cars led to decades of friendships and involvement in several Corvair clubs, including Corvair Atlanta and Heart of Georgia. For Raymond, the cars were much more than a hobby; they were a way to connect with people who shared his enthusiasm, many of whom became lifelong friends.

Raymond also loved dancing and was a member of a local dance club, where he enjoyed sharing the dance floor and making memories with friends. He attended West Rome High School, where he developed a life long love of sports, especially his beloved Georgia Bull Dogs and Atlanta Braves. Whether he was attending a car show, enjoying an evening of dancing, or watching a ballgame, Raymond embraced the things he loved and the friendships that came with them. Raymond’s greatest legacy, however, was his servant’s heart. He was the person everyone called when something broke, when help was needed, or when life became difficult. Whether it was a friend or a complete stranger, Raymond made himself available at any hour, never expecting anything in return. He had an extraordinary ability to fix just about anything, but his greatest gift was making people feel they were never alone when they needed help.

Throughout his life, Raymond generously gave his time and talents to organizations serving his community and his nephew, Michael. His commitment to others was also evident in the many years he sponsored and coached Kristie’s youth softball and basketball teams. Raymond believed every child who wanted to play deserved the opportunity. He made sure they had a place on the team, a jersey, cleats, a ball, and, when needed, a ride to and from practices and games. No child was left out if Raymond could do something about it. Raymond’s life was also marked by extraordinary strength and perseverance. Diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2013, he underwent a successful double lung transplant at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in 2020. In 2021, he faced and overcame post-transplant lymphoma, only to confront the disease again in 2025. Throughout his year-long battle, Raymond demonstrated the same unwavering determination that defined his life. His fierce will to live and his conviction to fight cancer never faltered, even in the face of tremendous challenges. He met each obstacle with courage, resilience, and a steadfast refusal to give up.

Raymond never measured his life by what he had, but by what he could give. His kindness, generosity, resourcefulness, and quiet acts of service touched countless lives. He will be remembered not only for the battles he fought, but for the life he lived so generously. His legacy lives on in the family he loved, the friendships he cherished, the children he encouraged, the countless people he helped, and the kindness he extended so freely to others. 

Raymond will be laid to rest in Plains, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Raymond’s honor to DIGS, Inc., an organization close to his heart and one to which he generously devoted his time and talents. 

Developing Independence Growth and Stability (DIGS, Inc.) P.O. Box 1053 Rome, GA 30162-1053 For more information, please contact: Barbara Monday 706-766-8141

Raymond’s greatest legacy is not what he left behind, but the countless ways he showed up for others.