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BORN
1932
DIED
2016
FUNERAL HOME
Paul Dillingham Obituary
Nashville, TN
Mr. Paul Dillingham age 83, of Nashville, TN, died on Saturday, March 5, 2016.
Mr. Dillingham was born on November 1, 1932, to the late Allie McDowell Dillingham and Oliver Martin Dillingham. Paul was educated at Lipscomb Elementary and High School, and College, Post Graduate work at Vanderbilt, T.S.U., and Trevecca.
He was a member of Woodmont Hills Church. Paul was preceded in death by his brother, John O. Dillingham and his sister, Marie A. Dillingham. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Catherine Parker Dillingham; sons, Mark Dillingham, Philip Dillingham and his wife, Connie, Craig Dillingham and his wife, Trecia; and his daughter, Carol Phillips and her husband, Greg.
Paul and Catherine have 14 grandchildren, Joshua Dillingham and his wife, Lindsay, Noah, Nathan, and Hope Dillingham, Jessica, Krista, and Laura Dillingham and Jacob, Hannah, and Abigail Wiser, Jaxon, Eli, Hudson, and Hayden Phillips.
Paul taught High School in Metro for 25 years and taught 2 years in Sierra Leone West Africa where he was a missionary. He taught in Madison High School and Dupont High on Tyler.
He served as a pulpit minister in and around Metro. The last 2 churches were Shelby Avenue and Smith Springs Churches of Christ.
After retiring from teaching he and Catherine owned Belmont Antiques on Belmont Blvd and was a well known appraiser of Antiques in Nashville. He was a numismatist and a collector of odd and curious monies of the world. Paul was a story teller and writer of Short Stories. He had a great and busy life- We miss him already!
Services will be held Wednesday, March 9, 2016, at eleven o'clock, Woodmont Hills Church of Christ on Franklin Road.
Gathering of Family & Friends will be held Tuesday from four o'clock until eight o'clock at Woodlawn Roesch-Patton Funeral Home and nine thirty until the service hour on Wednesday at the church.
Visit the online obituary: www.woodlawn-roesch-pattonfh.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Paul Dillingham
Sponsored by Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home & Woodlawn Memorial Park.
Geniese Gilman
August 13, 2016
It was always a joy to see Mr. Dillingham pull his red truck into our driveway and share stories and lemonade with us, under our dogwood tree!
We are so sorry for your loss.
God bless you, Mrs. Dillingham.
Geniese and Tom Gilman
Joe
May 10, 2016
Such a belated condolence, but Mr. Dillingham was a remarkable teacher and educator. I can certainly credit him with helping me excel in college, but more importantly, to excel in life. He is one teacher that will forever stick out as very impactful on my life. Thank you so much Mr. D for sharing your talents with all of us. So very fitting in how you engaged us and commanded respect as much in deed as in presence.
1 Peter 4:10
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.
Thank you so very much for sharing your gift with us Mr. D.
You will not be forgotten.
Joe
Stanley Bodner
March 14, 2016
I had the privilege of being Paul's primary care physician for 40+ years. He was very generous with his African and antique memorabilia and several items adorn my medical office and home as a consequence of his thoughtful generosity. He was so unique, respectful and compliant with his health care. He was a great roll model for his children and grandchildren and all of his church families. I will miss seeing and tending to him, greatly.
Stanley Bodner, MD Hermitage, TN
Diann Stone Prince
March 13, 2016
Deepest sincere sympathy to family & friends. Just happened to see a wedding photo on Facebook, & recognized Paul Dillingham, who was performing a wedding ceremony from yrs ago. He was one of my great teachers from MHS, 1957-1958. Will always remember the vibrant lessons he taught our teen age class. He was a blessing to us all.
Greg Phillips
March 10, 2016
Paul Dillingham was my father in law. I love him and he loves me. More importantly we liked each other. Anytime i told someone who knew him that he was my father in law, they had nothing to say but high praise. There is usually a story of how he fit into their lives. He was a missionary, historian, writer, purveyor of the Gospel, hard working teacher, preacher and an expert in antiques. He loved performing Weddings, and stayed in touch with those who's weddings he had officiated. He was a true Tennessee story teller. If you knew him, he was your friend and he had a genuine care of the well being of those he knew. He always had time for us all even when he was busy. He was my friend and I want to see him again. Daddy Paul, I will take good care of Carol and the kids. We will miss you so much.
Thanks for being you.
Greg
Terry Olive
March 10, 2016
Dear Dillingham Family, Paul was such a fine SERVANT to so many throughout his full and active life. I so enjoyed serving with him at Woodmont Hills and our friendship through all the years since. Even after we moved away from Nashville, Paul and I had frequent email exchanges. He was, and will continue to be, loved by so man, including us. May God bless each of you in all the days ahead as we all will remember him with such fondness. Terry and Dianne Olive
Cindy Tucker
March 9, 2016
Mr D was one of my favorite teachers when I was in high school at DuPont. I loved his humor and his incredible knowledge of the history subject he was teaching. He was well respected and had a terrific repoire with us students. I have wonderful memories of him and will miss him, knowing he has already passed to the other realm of life. My deepest sympathy is with you and yours.
Bob Hendren
March 9, 2016
Just heard about this tragic incident today; Paul was a dear friend for many years. I respected his scholarship, creative mind, and spiritual depth. I pray God will provide His great comfort at this loss.
Eric and Janean Bollinger
March 9, 2016
What a wonderful tribute and such sweet memories in those photos! Our family is grateful to be part of Paul's legacy of loving the Lord and bringing honor to Him. Catherine, our prayers are with you.
Vicki Johnson
March 9, 2016
Catherine, so sorry for Paul's passing. I have such fond memories of my teenage years when he was our preacher at Shelby. He was so special also because he conducted my Daddy's funeral. Remember fun times at your house and even horseback riding. You and your family are in my prayers.
Gail kopcsak
March 9, 2016
So sorry for your loss. Jim and I will miss being teased by Paul. He could always bring a smile Gail and Jim Kopcsak
Ray and Stephanie Taylor
March 9, 2016
Thank you God for blessing Paul and letting him be the wonderful Christian he was. He is a great shepherd for Christ!
Sharon Hale
March 9, 2016
Your husband will be missed.
March 8, 2016
Paul and his wife were a great asset to Gilroy many years ago and our sons were in their young teens. We always loved being around them and got to enjoy their daughter Carol. He was a good Christian man and will be missed. Love to his family, Jesse and Pat Wisener
Richard Perkins
March 8, 2016
I had Mr. D at MHS in the early 1960's. Certainly one of the top 3 teachers I had in any level of my education. I had lost track of him in the last few years. Wish I had been able to say "Thanks for all you did" one more time. A good man.
March 8, 2016
Paul Dillingham served our little Wilson County congregation of Center Chapel Church of Christ while he was studying at Lipscomb. He and Catherine shared many meals at our house, that of Aubrey and Aline Begarly, and he held a special place in their hearts. I remember that when he was called on to pray, he always stepped from the pew, and into the aisle to kneel while he was praying. We had many young preachers who served us there from Lipscomb, but he was one I shall always remember with great fondness. John Begarly
Tinny Scott
March 8, 2016
Mr Dillingham was a wonderful teacher and mentor at MHS. Sincere condolences for you and your family. May God comfort you at this time and in the days ahead.
Genia Shipman
March 8, 2016
I loved hearing Paul read his stories. He was a gifted "teller of tales," imparting such lively words and images that sometimes it was hard to tell fiction from non-fiction. He will be greatly missed.
March 8, 2016
Mr. Dillingham was my history teacher at Madison High School. He was one of my favorite teachers and made history one of my favorite subjects!
I will be praying for his family.
Sandra Elliott Adcox
Nikki Nelson-Hicks
March 8, 2016
Paul was such a lovely man. I knew him through the Nashville Writers Group. He came to my Fiction group years ago and to a few of my Speculative Fiction group. He always had such wonderful stories. I hope his family knows that he was appreciated and will be missed by his writing buds.
March 8, 2016
We are sorry for the passing of Mr. D. I had him for AP History at DuPont in 1976 and he was wonderful. Such a kind, loving, supportive gentleman. Rest in peace, Mr. D. I know that you are walking the streets of gold. Thank you for coming my and Mike's way.
Remembering all of you before the Father Above.
Jorene and Mike Wilkins
DuPont High Class of '76
Kathleen Cosgrove
March 8, 2016
Such a charming man with a great talent for telling wonderful stories. This is a sad loss to so many who enjoyed listening to him I'm glad we have his words to live on forever.
March 8, 2016
Our loving sympathy to all of you, Bill and Martha Gallaher
Sara Pettit
March 8, 2016
My life is richer because this dear man was part of it. What joy he brought to us all. His experiences and wisdom will be greatly missed. I will hold the family close in thought and prayer. My heart aches that I cannot attend visitation or the funeral, as I am out of town with my job this week. God bless all of you.
Sara Pettit
Derek Garland
March 8, 2016
Mr. D (along with Mrs. D and family) made a profound impression on my young life at Smith Springs CoC. I still remember one of his sermons about Moses when I was about 10 years old. Thank you for being a shining beacon on a hill for so many. You are one of my favorite people and are dearly missed!
Sidney Bennett
March 8, 2016
Mr. D was quite possibly the best teacher I ever had, and that includes those at Vanderbilt and in law school. He also performed my wedding ceremony. I was his student helper at DuPont from 1973-1975. I typed tests and typed his sales catalogs for his rare and curious monies. He told me he couldn't pay me but he'd perform a wedding in exchange. Little did he know that 6 years later I would take him up on his offer. We kept in touch over the years talking antiques and collectibles. I have his wooden file cabinet in my office. I loved him dearly and I hope he knew what an impact he made on my life. Goodbye, Mr. D and thank you.
Mark Willoughby
March 8, 2016
Paul was always an inspiration with his smile and warm greeting. His love for the Lord exuded in all he did. Blessings for peace and strength to the family
JJ
March 7, 2016
My sincere condolences to the family for the loss of your loved one. May prayers strengthen you and memories comfort you, and may our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, who loves us, comfort your hearts and "make you firm". (2 Thessalonians 2:16, 17)
Larimore Henley
March 7, 2016
This is sad news to receive, but I look forward to spending eternity with Paul on the far side of Jordan.
What a treasure trove of stories and good-humored illustrations he has been! I will miss the lessons he drew from life whenever he spoke at church. We who have known Paul can honor him by imitating his joy for life and kindness to others. My prayers are with you all.
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