Paul Kilcullen, 94, of Vero Beach, died on Aug. 17, 2013, at his home.
He was born Tangipahoa, La., on Jan. 15, 1919, the son of James and Mary Allen Kilcullen.
He played basketball in high school for the Sumrall Bobcats in Sumrall, Miss.
He received a 5 year athletic scholarship for basketball at Delta State University in Cleveland, Miss.
While attending Delta State University he received a bachelors of science degree, and then received his masters degree.
Kilcullen then entered the United States Navy in 1943.
He graduated from the Naval Flight Academy in Pensacola and became a naval fighter pilot.
He served aboard the USS Hornet Aircraft Carrier from 1944 to 1945 during World War II.
He also served aboard the USS Princeton during the Korean War (CVA-37), USS Duxbury Bay (AVP 38), and the USS Shangri-la (CV-38). He retired in 1954 as a Naval Commander.
During his time in the service he received numerous declarations and medals including the American Theater of War, Asiatic-Pacific Area, WWII Victory Medal, 5 air medals, Navy Commendation Ribbon, United Nations Ribbon and the Korean Service medal.
He remained a member of the Naval Reserves until 1980.
Following his career in the military he became flight instructor at Spence Air Force Base in Moultrie, Ga., from 1954 to 1959.
He returned to school in 1960 for FAA training, and became an air traffic control specialist at the Vero Beach Municipal Airport in 1961.
He retired after nearly 20 years of service.
Survivors include his son, Allen Paul Kilcullen and daughter- in-law, Michung Kilcullen, of Kennesaw, Ga.; daughter, Sara Patricia Moody and son-in-law, Dwight E. Moody, of Vero Beach; son, Malcolm Hayles, of Vero Beach; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by is first wife, Mary Virginia Kilcullen; second wife, Norene Cahill Kilcullen; children, Jennifer Sheryl VanDale, Alma Dessa Diangelo and Paula Diane Kilcullen.
A visitation will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. with a service starting at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24 at Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory in Vero Beach.
Online condolences may be sent at www.seawindsfh.com.
