Cochran – Paul Edward Sly, Jr., 80, passed away Thursday, August 15, 2024. Paul was born July 17, 1944, the son of Paul Edward Sly, Sr. of Davenport, FL and Kate Johnson Sly of East Dublin, GA.

Paul, never having known his father, as he was serving in the Army's 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne, Company C in World War II, when he was born. His father would subsequently die as a result of being seriously wounded in action in the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium on January 8, 1945.

Paul was a graduate of East Laurens High School where he played baseball. He attended Middle Georgia College in Cochran and Georgia Southern University in Statesboro. He was employed by Southern Railway, now Norfolk Southern Railway, as a supervisor, and retired in 2001 after 30 years.

He spent most of his time after retirement on his farm in Laurens County. He loved his family, friends, animals, and farming.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of almost 60 years Jane Larsen Sly and two daughters Beth Lord of Cochran and Sharon Moore of Macon; brother-in-law Peter Fred (Leesa) Larsen, Sr. of Dublin; niece Avery Lee Larsen Henson of Forsyth; nephew Peter Fred Larsen, Jr. of Dublin and several cousins.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 19, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. in the chapel of Mathis Funeral Home. Burial will be private in Cedar Hill Cemetery. The family will greet friends after the service on Monday, at Mathis Funeral Home.