Paul Thomas McMahan

Paul T. McMahan, 92, passed away on January 24, 2021, in Alexandria, VA., to be reunited with his loving wife, Barbara (Bobbie) Lee Black, who preceded him in death after 65 years of marriage. Paul is survived by his sister, Mary Ruth McMahan; children Tom (Rachel predeceased) McMahan and Debra Lee McMahan; grandchildren Reed McMahan, Nicole (Brian) Lively, Micah (Jeanette) McMahan, Magen Blount, and Faith (Steve) Hayden; and one grandchild Lexington Lively. Paul was born on February 22, 1928, in St. Petersburg, FL., to Herbert and Mildred McMahan. He graduated from St Petersburg High School in 1946, and Georgia Institute of Technology with a B.S. in 1950. He married his high school sweetheart, Bobbie, from St. Petersburg on Jun 18, 1950. He entered active duty service with the Navy as a Supply Corp officer in November 1951 which culminated in a distinguished 25 year career, retiring as a Navy Captain. Paul began is Naval career in 1951 at Naval Training Center, Bainbridge, MD. He later served as the Supply Officer on USS Aludra (AF-55). Thus began his world wind tour across the United States and several overseas tours. One of his most memorable tours was serving as the assistant attaché officer in Tokyo, Japan. He attended the Defense Language School in Monterey, CA., in preparation for that assignment. Upon his return from Japan, he attended the U.S. Navy Post Graduate School in Monterey, earning an M.S. degree. From there he was assigned to the Naval Supply Corp School in Athens, GA., mentoring foreign military officers. Next assignment was to Charleston, SC., at the Naval Supply Center followed by a tour to Norfolk, VA., on the USS L. Y. Spear (AS-36). Paul was fortunate to receive another overseas tour to Subic Bay, Philippines, serving as the base assistant Supply Corp officer. He had some interesting stories about Olongapo Mayoral elections and “big” snakes on backyard fences. His final tour took him to Washington, DC, Crystal City at Naval Supply Systems Command where he retired in 1976. He never desired to go to DC but after his retirement he remained in the area until his passing. He and Barbara grew to enjoy the area and its attractions. After Navy retirement, Paul worked several government contractor positions finally retiring in 2012. Paul and Bobbie loved to travel, remodel the house, and entertain grandchildren. They took several riverboat tours in Europe and celebrated their 60th anniversary by taking a cruise with Tom and Rachel to Alaska. They were always taking the grandchildren to various theme and amusement parks throughout the area. Bobbie even talked Paul and Tom into a two-week white-water rafting trip down the Colorado River through the entire length of the Grand Canyon. Her one request to Tom was “Tommy, you bring your father back alive!” No pressure! Paul was a wonderful husband, devoted father, and an awesome neighbor who would do anything for anyone. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends. Funeral services will be on Monday, August 9, at 10:00 at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1301 Collingwood Road, Alexandria, VA. A burial service will be held the same day at 1:00 PM at Arlington National Cemetery where he will be buried with Bobbie, united in Heaven.