Paul Francis Lockary

PAUL FRANCIS LOCKARY, beloved son, husband and father, died in Macon, Georgia, on Sunday, June 29, 2025.  He was born on June 15, 1931, in Boston, Massachusetts, where he grew up, with many a Saturday at Fenway Park watching his favorite team, the Boston Red Sox.  He later became a huge fan of the Atlanta Braves, who originated in Boston.

Paul was a graduate of St. Peter’s School, Mission High, now The Xaverian School in Westwood, MA, and Boston College.  At Boston College he played intramural ice hockey, football and Varsity Baseball.  During his senior year, he pitched for the Boston College Eagles at the 1953 College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.

Following college graduation, Paul pursued a career in the United States Air Force, during which time he served in the Strategic Air Command and spent 13 months in Vietnam flying the C-123.  Previously, he was selected to attend the Air Force Institute of Technology at Oklahoma State University, where he received another BS degree in Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering.  His final assignment was Robins Air Force Base, where he worked in Service Engineering and retired as a Major and Senior Pilot.  He was also an Advance Logistical Agent for the Air Force One Team of President Richard M. Nixon.

Paul then earned a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Georgia College, Robins Resident Center, and began a second career with The Blue Bird Body Company in Corporate Accounting, retiring in 2004.  During retirement he taught a tax course at Wesleyan College and worked as a volunteer tax preparer, and he found time to enjoy cultivating his garden of beautiful hydrangeas and tomatoes.  When stationed at Robins Air Force Base, he was active with the RAFB Golf Club.  He was also a member of the BoSox Club in Boston and a lifetime member of the Military Officers Association of America.  For many years he participated in League Tennis in both Macon and Warner Robins.  As a faithful Catholic, he was active at different intervals with the Robins AFB Chapel, Sacred Heart Church in Warner Robins, and St. Joseph Church in Macon.  While living in Warner Robins, he became a charter member of The Society of Useless Social Endeavors (“The SOUSE Group”), and he cherished the enduring friendships within that group.

Paul enjoyed travel and felt blessed to have travelled extensively during his life, including most European countries, as well as Morocco, Egypt, Israel, Russia, Jordan, Philippines, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, the Caribbean and throughout the United States, especially Hawaii and Alaska.  A special highlight were annual ski trips with extended family.

Paul was predeceased by his parents, John Herbert Lockary and Mary Ann Nash Lockary. He is survived by his wife, Lillian Harris Lockary, and his daughter Janet Lockary Coberly and her husband Max Wood Coberly (Chip).  He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and his godchildren, all of whom he adored, as well as numerous cousins in England, Ireland, and Massachusetts.

Arrangements are made by Hart’s Mortuary on Cherry Street, where there will be a visitation and Rosary on Thursday, July 10, 2025, 5-7pm. The Rosary will begin at 6pm. Paul’s funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Macon on July 11, 2025, at 11:00am, with burial to follow at 3pm, with military honors, in Sunnyside Cemetery, Cordele, Georgia.  Donations in Paul’s memory may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church or to St. Joseph School.

Register online at www.hartsmort.com.

Hart’s Mortuary and Cremation Center, 765 Cherry Street, Macon GA 31201 has charge of arrangements.

St. Joseph Catholic Church
830 Poplar St., Macon GA 31201
Tel: 1-478-745-1631
Email: church@st-joseph.cc
Web: https://stjosephmacon.org/

St. Joseph Catholic School
905 High Street, Macon GA 31201
Web: http://bit.ly/SJSgivenow