Paul Heyward McAmish, 49, of Dallas, GA passed away at home on July 30 with family by his side.
Heyward was born on December 30th, 1972 to Larry and Yevette McAmish in Athens, GA. After graduating from Broome High School in 1991, he joined the US Air Force and earned degrees in Industrial Management Technology, Avionics Systems Technology, and Instructor Technology. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a Master of Science Degree in Operations Management from the University of Arkansas.
He served in the US Air Force as an Aircraft Guidance and Control Systems Craftsman Technician and Instructor at Hurlburt Field in Florida, where earned the Air Force Commendation Medal for meritorious service along with numerous other medals and decorations. He moved to Georgia in 2003 and continued his life’s work with Lockheed Martin as an Electronics/Avionics Engineer. According to Lockheed Martin, he started his career in the C-27J program primarily working on the auto flight system. He transitioned to the C-5M program where he worked with aircraft diagnostic systems. Most of his LM career, however, was spent on the C-130J program. He was the engineering expert on the C-130J Electro-Optical/Infra-Red System responsible for the integration, test, and functional performance. He was also part of the C-130J Defensive Systems team helping to add capabilities to the aircraft for customers across the world. In recent years, he also took on the role of Technical Lead for the AMMM Communication, Navigation, and Defensive Systems team. He spent many years growing both his technical depth and breadth of knowledge and used his experience to mentor other engineers on the team. During his time at LM, he worked with various people and teams and was liked and respected by all who had the pleasure of working with him. He never hesitated to jump in and help solve an issue in the lab or on the aircraft and assisted his team members whenever he could. He was recognized by both his peers and the leadership team at Lockheed Martin through multiple Excellence, Spotlight, and NextGen Recognition Awards. His dedication and kindness are obvious in the awards that say things like, “Paul has been a huge help to me,” “I have learned a great deal from him,” “the customer continued to restate how impressed he was,” and “You have demonstrated exceptional knowledge.”
Heyward was good at everything he did, from his professional career to his role as a husband and father. He enjoyed life to the fullest, believing that “you should live every day like it’s your last.” He lived that example making every day an adventure for his family and friends. Heyward burned through life like a bright star leaving us all too soon. Surviving is his wife, Dana (Shirley); his children, Madelyn and Lucas; his brother, Chris, and his sister-in-law, Nicole; his sister, Melissa (Hasmuk), and his brother-in-law, Jared; and his mother-in-law, Libby. Preceding him in death are his mother and father.
A funeral with military honors will be held Wednesday, September 7, 2022. There will be a short visitation at 1 pm at Georgia Funeral Care & Cremation Services, 4671 S. Main St. Acworth, GA 30101, followed by a procession to the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA for a 3 pm service.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in his name.
