Carl Golightley

Carl E. Golightly
SALEM - Carl Edward Golightly born December 10, 1924, went into his Lord awaiting arms at the age of 88 at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 1, 2013, at Springlake Nursing Home in Salem, KY.

Born in Massac County, Illinois, to Rubin and Mae Golightly he moved to Paducah as a child where he was raised. At the age of 17, he joined the Navy in April of 1941. He was stationed on the USS California. A devout supporter to his branch of Military where he was honored with many metals, pins, ribbons, and certificates of honor. Carl wore his USS California Naval Cap every day never taking it off to even sleep, taking his last breath wearing it proudly.

Carl worked at the Union Carbide Plant from 1954 to his retirement in 1983. He became ill with cancer and asbestosis in 1990. But that did not stop him from doing the things he loved the most, working on his farm, fishing and camping 4 months out of the years at Cravens Creek, his yearly Florida fishing trip with his son Wayne and the Ballard family, dancing at the Senior Citizens on Saturday nights and the last but not the least his annual fish fry for family and friends.

Carl was a devoted member of Twelve Oaks Baptist church. He was a member of the American Legion Chief Paduke Post #31 and the United Steelworkers Union Local 550.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Dorothy Nell Golightly; daughter, Sara Catherine Golightly of Paducah, KY; sons, Michael Golightly and wife Julie of Paducah, KY, Wayne Golightly and wife Sherry of Paducah, KY and Jeff Golightly and wife Susan of Paducah, KY; grandchildren, Michael Golightly, Jr., Chris Golightly, Brent Golightly, Rachael Houser, John Golightly, Hunter Golightly, Madison Golightly and Ezekiel Eckelkamp; great-grandchildren, Alec, Ansley, Hannah, Elijah and several nieces and nephews.

Carl was preceded in death by a grandson, Wesley Robert Golightly; brother, Fred Golightly; sister, Cornel Kolb; and his parents.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 4, 2013, at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah with Dr. Ben Boone officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow in the Maplelawn Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday, October 3, 2013, at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to any charity of choice.