Paul V. Hitchcock

Mr. Paul V. Hitchcock, age 88 of Thomaston, died Thursday, July 24, 2025, at Brightmoor Hospice, in Griffin, Georgia. 

Born and raised in the hard-scrabble coal mining town of Wheelwright, Kentucky, Paul V. Hitchcock lived a life full of character, humor, and grit. Fondly nicknamed “The Short Arm of the Law” — a playful nod to his father, Herschel Hitchcock, the town’s Chief of Police known as the “Long Arm of the Law” — Paul had a mischievous streak that kept pace with his curiosity for the world.

He was the son of Herschel and Ruth Hitchcock, both of whom preceded him in passing. Paul often shared stories of adventurous childhood days with his beloved cousins: robbing beehives (and suffering the stings), running wild through the hills with the .410 shotgun his father gave him, and learning life’s early lessons in the shadow of the mountains during the tough years following the Great Depression. One short visit inside the deep coal mine was enough to tell him the world had more to offer — and he was determined to see it.

At 18, Paul joined the United States Air Force. One of his early tours of duty took him to Homestead Air Force Base in Florida, where he met and fell in love with Rosalie Hodge. They married in 1961 and embarked on a life of love, service, and adventure that would span decades. Paul’s military career took them across the globe — from NATO bases in Italy and Turkey, to the Pentagon, California, Florida, and Vietnam. For 20 years, Paul proudly served and protected the freedoms we all hold dear.

After retiring from the Air Force, Paul began another 20-year career with Thomaston Telephone Company, taking on party lines and rotary phones with the same quiet dedication that marked his entire life.

Paul’s proudest legacy, however, was his family. He and Rosalie raised four sons into strong, principled men — each of whom went on to build their own families: Mark (Denine) Hitchcock, Herschell (Leslie) Hitchcock, Kevin (Michelle) Hitchcock, and Paul Jr. (Leslie) Hitchcock. Together, Paul and Rosalie were blessed with a growing tribe of grandchildren who brought endless joy and pride into their lives.

His life was one of service, love, laughter, and unwavering commitment to those he held dear. He saw the world, made it a little better everywhere he went, and left behind a family that carries his stories — and his spirit — forward.

Graveside services will be held on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. from Crystal Hill Cemetery.  The family will receive friends on Sunday, August 3, 2025, from 3:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. at Coggins Funeral Home.