John I. Paulk, 92 formerly of Starkville, MS passed away on February 2, 2021 in Decatur, GA. John was born July 27, 1928 to Frederick Domont Paulk and Lucy Mae Paulk in Buford Station, TN. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD in 1952 before joining the United States Air Force where he served both stateside and overseas for 4-years.
Upon leaving military service, John entered the private sector, joining DuPont De Nemours, Inc. as an engineer before obtaining his PhD in Nuclear Engineering from North Carolina State and entering academia. John retired from Mississippi State University with 30-years of service in 1993 as Associate Dean of Engineering. He was a devoted Mississippi State Bulldog fan and avid golfer in his spare time.
John was preceded in death by his parents, older brother Fred Paulk, older sister June Paulk Adair and his wife, Mary Alice Thomas Paulk. He is survived by his son John I. Paulk, Jr., his wife Tammy, his son Thomas M. Paulk and his husband Alan Hale, seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and his younger sister Mary Anne Paulk Weems.
A private visitation for family will be held on Friday, February 5th at Welch Funeral Home from 12:30 to 1:30 pm followed by a graveside service at 2:00 pm for friends at Memorial Garden Park on Oktoc Road.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to the Oktibbeha County Humane Society at www.ochsms.org.
