Major General Joel Benjamin Paris III

Joel was born on December 7, 1922 in Atlanta, Georgia to Joel B. Paris, Jr. and Lilly Belle Smyly Paris. He graduated from Tech High School and attended Georgia State University before entering the Army Air Corps in 1942. The desire to serve his country began Joel’s illustrious military career in which he excelled as aviator, officer, and genuine American hero.

During World War II, Joel flew 167 combat missions and was awarded numerous decorations including Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal with seven Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Purple Heart. He was one of the 63 charter members of The American Fighter Aces Association. Upon returning home from the war, he held several Georgia Air National Guard command positions, and served as Special Advisor to the Commander of the 14th Air Force for National Guard Affairs, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, and to the Commander of the Tactical Air Command. His last active duty assignment was as Special Advisor for National Guard Affairs to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Air Force Operations in the Pentagon. In 1971, he was appointed Adjutant General for the state of Georgia.

As a pilot, Joel was legendary. Other pilots who admired his flying skills have said that he “flew like he had feathers.” He truly loved flying, and maybe that’s why he enjoyed observing birds. They were kindred spirits of the air.

In many ways, General Paris’s military service in World War II and after defined his life. He was a living example of honesty, integrity, bravery, and love. The fine memories of him are indelible.

Although he thought of himself as military through and through, he was talented and diverse in his interests and loved gardening, golf, hunting, boating, bird watching, and even beekeeping. He thoroughly enjoyed sharing his memories and thoughts with others and took real joy in helping others. He was well known among friends and colleagues as a brave and dedicated airman, and charming storyteller. Joel will be fondly remembered as a loving husband, father, son and brother, an Air Force fighter pilot ace, a loyal friend and neighbor, a proud owner of Jon and golden retrievers, and a generous supporter of many worthy causes.

Retiring to the well-deserved life of “gentleman farmer,” Joel loved riding his tractor and golf cart to tend his land and garden. He has now passed into history, but will not soon be forgotten. He visited the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., and was proud of his contribution and pleased to see the visual symbol of the appreciation all America and the world feels for the courage, sacrifice, and service above and beyond the call of duty shown by that generation. We are thankful to him because we owe our very freedom to men such as Major General Joel B. Paris III.

Joel is survived by his devoted wife, Janet; loyal golden retrievers Tracer and Chigger; his daughters, Carol Paris Wells, Tampa, FL; Constance Paris Tolle (Frank), Savannah, GA; Robin Paris Loden (Eddie) Cumming, GA; and son, Joel B. Paris IV (Maria) Dawsonville, GA; as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held 12:00 pm Thursday, March 13, 2014 in the Chapel of Roswell Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Arlington Memorial Park, Sandy Springs. The family will receive friends for an hour of visitation and reception from 11:00 am until the hour of service.

Donations in his honor may be sent to Adopt-A-Golden-Atlanta, P.O. Box 420256 Atlanta, GA 30342.