Paul Mitchell Fletcher, Colonel, U.S. Army (Retired), passed away on May 29, 2018, from natural causes after a short hospitalization. He was a resident at Freedom Pointe, The Villages, FL. Paul was 97 years old.
Paul, a native Virginian, was born in Clintwood, Virginia, the son of a farm agent and teacher. He entered the U.S. Army in 1942 following commissioning and graduation with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from Virginia Polytechnic Institute. He served 32 years consecutively, surviving wartime assignments during World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. During his Army career Paul served as an Infantry platoon leader, company and battalion commander, as well as in several administrative, personnel and logistical assignments. Among his many service awards, Colonel Fletcher was awarded four awards of the Legion of Merit for meritorious performance of duty.
Following retirement from the Army in 1974, Paul and his youngest son, Douglas, assisted a contractor to build his retirement home in Oak Harbor, Washington, where he and his first wife, Marjorie Ellen Buehler, planned to live. Paul met Marjorie while she was serving with the American Red Cross in Europe during World War II. For eight years, Paul worked as a clerk with the Washington Alcoholic Control Board. Marjorie died in 1986. The following year, Paul met Barbara Jane Reway and remarried. They continued to live in Oak Harbor for several years and enjoyed many visits from his children, their spouses, grandchildren, and a multitude of friends. In the early 1990’s, Paul and Barbara relocated to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and ultimately moved to The Villages.
Paul was an avid fisherman, hunter, world traveler, gardener, poker player, and golfer. He enjoyed playing golf at the Villages with his friends and sons. Paul also loved his hunting dogs. His home in his earlier years always had at least one dog, with Chausie and Sam the most well remembered. He volunteered at his church and was active in Free Masonry, Shriners, Elks, and the Military Officers Association of America.
Colonel Fletcher was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Bernie Fletcher, and his siblings (Elizabeth, Juanita, Clyde and Fred Noel). Paul is survived by his wife, Barbara, children (Pamela, David, Dale, Susan and Douglas), thirteen grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren. At one time, Paul’s three sons and a daughter-in-law were officers serving in the U.S. Army.
Visitation will be held at Beyers Funeral Home in Lady Lake on Friday, June 8, 2018 from 10 to 11 a.m. with a funeral service at 11 a.m. Burial will be at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.