Dick Paris

Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee announces funeral services for Mr. Howell Dan "Dick" Paris, Sr., age 97, of Hiawassee, who passed away Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at his residence.

Mr. Paris was born in Paulding County, Georgia, on Friday, August 7, 1914, the son of R.J. and Addie Reed Paris. He was next to the youngest of six children, three brothers, and two sisters. He was a graduate of the University of Georgia, Class of 1941, with a degree in Agriculture Economics. He married Reese Ragsdale in September 1941. Mr. Paris served his country during World War II, as a service member of the U.S. Army, stationed in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In May of 1947 Mr. Paris moved to Hiawassee where he founded Hiawassee Hardware. Since then the store has been expanded and remodeled in 1964, 1988 and added the garden center in 2003. Mr. Paris has one son, Dan, who was born on July 10, 1951 and later also became a UGA alumni. Together they have operated Hiawassee Hardware. Mr. Paris was an ardent supporter and promoter of local sports. He was a member of the Towns County Georgia Mountain Fair Authority that helped to obtain the current Fair location from the TVA through a lease agreement. He had been a member of Towns County Lions Club since 1951 and served two terms as fair president. He joined the Board of Directors of the Bank of Hiawassee in 1953, and served as President from 1955 to 1981 and as Chairman of the Board in 1981 and a Board Member until 2010. He was elected Mayor of Hiawassee in 1951 and served on the Towns County Hospital Authority. He was a member of the Mountain Community Healthcare Foundation, and had been an active member of McConnell Memorial Baptist Church. Mr. Paris had been preceded in death by his wife, Reese Ragsdale Paris; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. R.J. Paris; two sisters, Annie Mae Register and Dorothy Lee; and three brothers: Ernest Paris, Paul Paris, and Hubert Paris.

Mr. Paris will be greatly missed by all who knew him, but especially missed by his family: son, Howell Dan Paris, Jr., of Hiawassee; and several nieces and nephews; and many friends.

Funeral services for Mr. Paris have been scheduled for Wednesday, November 23, 2011, at 1:00 p.m., at McConnell Memorial Baptist Church in Hiawassee, with Dr. Benny Pate officiating. The eulogy will be presented by Mr. Lamar Paris, Mr. Paris' nephew. Specially selected music will be presented by Mr. Jim Wood. The body will lie instate at the church starting at 12 noon. The following gentlemen have been selected to serve as pallbearers: Russell Hedden, Rex Hogsed, Anthony Taylor, Mike Crisp, John Full, and Paris Lee. The following persons are requested to serve as honorary escort to the family: Archie Chastain, Sue Cunningham, Latisha Lowe, Linda Garrett, Annette Parker, Sherri Ledford, Deborah Ballantine, Towns County Lions Club Members, and Hiawassee Hardware Employees. Burial will be in Osborn Cemetery, with Rev. Jason Lee officiating, and military honors presented by the U.S. Army National Guard Military Honors Reserve Unit, and North Georgia Honor Guard.

Visitation at the funeral home will begin on Tuesday evening, November 22, 2011, with the family especially meeting with friends from the hours of 6 until 9 p.m.

If you wish, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the following: Young Harris College, Local Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 275, Young Harris, Georgia 30582; or Hamilton Rhododendron Gardens, Attention Hilda Thomasson, P.O. Box 444, Hiawassee, Georgia 30546.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee. Please share your fond memories with the family and sign the guest register by visiting our website at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.