Paul J. Chestnut of Marietta, GA passed away on April 14th, 2025, at the age of 84. He was born on June 26, 1940, in Opelika, AL to Lewis and Myrtice Chestnut. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Ollita Green Chestnut; children, Marian (Bob) Hull, Brad Chestnut: grandchildren, Bailey Garrison (James Hess), Frankie Hull (Matt Wilkinson), and Katherine Hull (Avery Plank).
In his professional life, he worked as a CPA in private practice as well as for private firms in the Atlanta area, and in managerial roles at companies including IBM, Hewlett-Packard, MCI, and Worldcom. His office wall displayed an impressive array of framed diplomas and professional letters of recognition, to which if asked, he would respond, “That and 50 cents will get you a cup of coffee.”
He was the son of a textile machinery repairman. In 1944 the Chestnuts, with the help of a stone mason, built a 3 room house in the Beulah community in Cusseta, Alabama. They carried the stones from a nearby creek, and learned how to keep a dirt floor clean. After losing his father at 7 years old, his family moved frequently as his mother found work in textile mills around Columbus, GA. Moves between neighborhoods in the Bellwood area continued whenever she found a better deal on a house. He credited his mother’s faith, along with the Salvation Army, and Boys and Girls Clubs of America as positive influences in his young life.
He excelled in mathematics and baseball, like his brothers, but also in visual art. His graduation picture in Jordan High School’s 1958 senior yearbook is captioned “Genius in physics.” He enlisted in the US Air force July that year and studied radio operations, eventually stationed in Japan and Crete - an experience he described as giving him a strong sense of “belonging,” often recounting stories with fondness.
He leveraged the GI Bill to pursue higher education at Georgia State University, completing a BBA in Accounting in 1969, and a Masters in Taxation in 1986.
Once settled in his career, he volunteered to serve as an officer in several organizations including Boy Scouts of America, Georgia Society of CPA’s, Preacher Clackum Field/West Cobb Ballpark, his children’s schools’ PTA’s, church offices, family governing bodies… if it required a treasurer, he was going to be asked to serve, and remained true to his belief that one should “never refuse additional responsibility.” In practice, he used that responsibility in his career to provide opportunities to individuals who might otherwise be overlooked due to prejudice, at a time before such policies were mandated.
Paul is preceded in death by his parents, Lewis Chestnut and Myrtice Hearn Chestnut; siblings, Lewis Chestnut, Harold Chestnut, Lamar Chestnut, and Martha Hand.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass at Christ The King Anglican Church on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 12:00 PM. Visitation with the family will begin at 11:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Paul’s honor to the Salvation Army or the Boys & Girl’s Club of America.
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