Paul V. Cloud

Paul Vincent Cloud, a member of “The Greatest Generation”, passed away at his home in Niceville, Florida on November 27, 2025 at the age of 106 with family by his side. He never missed spending an anniversary with the love of his life, Dorothy.  He joined her in heaven on their 78th wedding anniversary.  He was born June 8th, 1919 in Falling Waters, West Virginia to Mary and Perry Cloud.  Paul was a beloved husband, father, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather who loved his family and was always there with a listening ear and sage advice.

Paul grew up in and around Martinsburg, West Virginia. Upon his graduation from high school, he went to work at a textile mill for 40 cents an hour.  But with war on the horizon, Paul enlisted in the U.S. Army during the peacetime draft initiated in 1940. He anticipated serving his one year. However, eight months after his enlistment in March 1941, the attack on Pearl Harbor changed those plans.

He was initially inducted into the 3rd Infantry Division and completed training at Ft. Lewis, Washington. After the Declaration of World War II, he was transferred to Camp Pickett, VA to prepare for deployment to the European Combat Theater. Over the course of the next 4 years, he participated in Operation Torch to liberate North Africa from Nazi occupation. From North Africa, he moved with General Patton’s Army where he participated in the Battle of Anzio and the liberation of Italy.

After the war, he moved to Washington, D.C. to look for employment.  Initially hired by the Veterans Administration, he later transferred to the Internal Revenue Service where he spent the rest of his career.  It was in D.C. that he met his future wife, Dorothy. They were married in St. Louis and returned to D.C. to begin their married life. While working during the day, he attended college at night earning his accounting degree from Benjamin Franklin University.

 In the early 50s, Paul’s job required him to relocate to Dallas, Texas.  In the early 60s, they returned to the D.C. area and lived in Vienna, Virginia where they remained until 2013 when they moved to Florida to be closer to family.

Paul loved the outdoors and loved discovering new places. He enjoyed working in his yard and taking his family on camping trips. After retirement, he traveled with Dorothy to many places around the world. With his daughters married to military men, they were able to have extended stays Europe and Hawaii. He visited 49 of our 50 states. They traveled to attend weddings, births, baptisms, graduations, and recitals. No distance was too far if it involved family.

Paul was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; his parents, Perry and Mary Cloud; and his sister, Mary Louise Freeman.  Paul is survived by his daughters Sandra Schlechter (Alvin) of Niceville, FL and Debra Beaty (John) of Indialantic, FL. His 5 grandchildren; Lee Anne Privette (Michael), Brian Schlechter (Erin), Jack Schlechter (Lindsay), Joshua Beaty (Heather) and Shannon Beaty (Cody).  Paul is also survived by 4 great-grandchildren and his nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Synergy Home Care, Centerwell Home Health and Emerald Coast Hospice for the wonderful care they provided during this last year.

In lieu of flowers, the family would suggest donations be made to Disabled American Veterans.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on December 22nd at 9:30 AM at Heritage Gardens Funeral Home.  A private burial will be held later in the day at Barrancas National Cemetery.

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