Obituary of paul w. caro,  jr.

Paul Wiley Caro, Jr., 89, died Thursday, January 21, 2021, in his home overlooking Pensacola Bay, from complications related to COVID-19. A native of Pensacola and a graduate of Pensacola High School, Paul served in the US Air Force during the Korean conflict. He was employed by HumRRO, an applied research unit of George Washington University and, in the 60’s, he and a colleague established Seville Research Corp., which was later acquired by United Airlines. Publishing over 50 journal articles and technical reports and papers, he was respected in the field of aviation and served on the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board as well as the Army Science Board. His work developing aircraft simulators and systems for pilot training took him around the world, including Iran, Iraq, China, Australia and even Antarctica. In 1989, he retired to his dream home on Santa Rosa Sound where he enjoyed sailing and deep-sea fishing on his boat “Wind Shear,” named for a project he conducted for the Federal Aviation Administration. Paul was awarded BA and MA degrees from Florida State University where he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, and he earned his PhD from the University of Tennessee. He was granted Fellow membership status in the Human Factors Society and in two divisions of the American Psychological Association, as well as membership in the Society of Sigma Xi. Additionally, he was a pilot with both airplane and helicopter ratings. In addition to his family and his work, Paul was dedicated to serving the church. Raised in the Southern Baptist tradition, he and his late wife, Liz, joined the Presbyterian Church PC (USA), where he served terms as Chair of the Board of Deacons and Clerk of the Session. He taught both teen and adult Sunday School classes, was active in outreach activities, and led seven mission trips to South Africa. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul W. Caro and Doris Hatton Caro; his brother, Angus McDavid Caro and his late wife of 49 years, Mary Elizabeth Davis Caro. He leaves his wife of 16 years, Ginger Karen Caro; his two children, Philip Caro and Vickie Caro Dieth (Danny), four granddaughters; Shannon Elizabeth Caro King (Patrick), Colleen Jo Caro Neusbaum (Dominic), Ellie Dieth and Abigail Dieth, and great-grandson, Shawn Patrick. He was a proud descendent of Benito Caro, an immigrant from Spain and one of the original settlers of Pensacola, who died in 1814. To celebrate Paul’s life and legacy, memorial gifts may be made to the Presbyterian Association of Musicians (checks can be made out to Presbyterian Association of Musicians and mailed to Presbyterian Association of Musicians, 100 Witherspoon St., Louisville, KY 40202) or Covenant Care Home Health Care. Please note all donations, “Paul W. Caro Memorial.”