Paul Reehling

Paul Reehling, former five term Mayor of Fort Valley, Georgia, passed away peacefully at his home in Macon on Monday, August 11th. He was 81 and had been suffering from renal disease. Born in Baltimore, MD to the late Arthur Stanley and Rose B. Reehling, he moved to Columbus, GA as a young boy. It was in Columbus that he met and wed the late Mary Jo Suelzer Reehling, to whom he was married for 45 years until her untimely death in 1995. In addition to his parents and wife, he is preceded in death by his son, Edmund Paul Reehling, Sr.; grandson, Edmund Paul Reehling, Jr.; and brother, Stan Reehling.

As a boy growing up in Maryland on the Chesapeake Bay, he began a lifelong love of boats and all things on the water. It would be a part of his and his family's life until his final days. He served with distinction in the United States Air Force as a fighter pilot during the Korean Conflict era and continued that love of aviation as a private pilot after his Air Force days. While in the Air Force, he was a member of the USAF Swim Team. Later, he went on to begin a career in broadcasting in Columbus, GA and ultimately purchased his own radio stations in St. Simons (WMOG) and then in Fort Valley, GA (WFPM) where his family made their home for several decades. In 1970, he ran for his first term as Mayor and spent the next ten years in that office while also running the radio station. He was a dedicated and fair leader, and drew support from all walks of the community because of his even-handed and honest way of dealing with people. One did not always get the answer they wanted, but always knew where they stood.

In 1983, he and Mary Jo retired, and with their daughter, Rosemary, moved to Punta Gorda, Florida. There they embarked on a successful real estate career together. They had fun and enjoyed some great years but ultimately decided middle Georgia was calling them home and they returned to Macon in 1991 to retire, this time fully. They then spent time boating again on the Chattahoochee River and Lake Eufaula until Mary Jo's death, after which the family decided to build a home on the Georgia Coast near Shellman's Bluff. This had been Paul's primary home for the past 15 years, and he loved every minute of it. His illness keeping him away from the friends and home and waterways he loved there was the worst part of his failing health. We now like to think of him on those waterways, once again, having a "big time".

Paul is survived by his son, John Price Reehling (Marjie); daughter, Rosemary Eleanor Reehling, all of Macon; and daughter-in-law and granddaughter, Kimberly and Katharine Price Reehling of Fort Valley.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 14, at 2:00 pm in the Chapel of McCullough Funeral Home in Warner Robins, Georgia, with Mayor Reehling lying in state from 1:00 to 2:00 pm prior to the service. The family will greet friends following the funeral, also at McCullough Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Pine Pointe Hospice, 6261 Peake Road, Macon, GA 31210 or the National Rifle Association, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030.


Funeral Home:
McCullough Funeral Home
417 S. Houston Lake Rd.
Warner Robins, GA
US 31088