Paul Allen Mattingly, 66, of Louisville passed on Thursday, March 20, 2025. Born in Louisville, he spent his youth exploring the river banks of the Ohio near the Shawnee golf course and summers at Fountaine Ferry . Once graduating from Westport High School in 1976 he joined the Navy and traveled the Pacific Ocean aboard the USS Bainbridge CGN-25.

Following his tour of duty, Paul started classes at University of Louisville and ran for the cross country team. He often bragged that he ran in the first ever KY Derby Festival mini marathon and would enjoy several races in his life. After learning how to weld during service he went on to join the Navy reserves and worked at one of the largest inland shipyards, JeffBoat. Before he retired he was able to boast that he helped to build hundreds of barges, towboats, and even the casino boat Aztar. He also enjoyed being the greatest Dad ever to both Jenny and Allen. After retiring from JeffBoat, Paul started his favorite job as a maintenance employee for JCPS.

In 2008 the ultimate tragedy hit the Mattingly family in the loss of their beloved son, Allen. In a selfless act Jenny, Julie and Paul decided to donate Allen’s organs to give those who need it a second chance at life. Less than 5 years later, it would be Paul who needed a double lung transplant caused by pulmonary fibrosis. He fought for 2 years, enduring a growing need for oxygen and constantly being tethered to a nasal cannula and tank. He was forced to retire from the Navy and his beloved job at JCPS after needing constant oxygen support. His life saving call came on the night of May 13th, that Paul had a match and lungs were on their way. Unfortunately, as a donor family we knew another family was saying goodbye to their loved one and making a hard decision to honor their wishes to donate life. In a happy twist of fate that donor family reached out and we learned all about Kam and his selfless act of signing up to be an organ donor. He gave Paul a true second chance at life. Paul was able to travel, even began to run again and participated in the KY Derby mini-marathon.

His true passion in life were his three beloved grandsons, Connor, Ollie, and Owen. He took them camping and hiking in the Red River Gorge, shared his love for SpongeBob, made a trip to Alaska to pan for gold, and was always offering scientific insight into geology, astronomy, and meteorology. He used his free time to help promote organ donation with his wife Julie. They joined Second Chance at Life where they got to participate in the Derby Pegasus Parade, the Transplant games of America, and made many new lifelong friends. Unfortunately, all second chances must come to an end. Paul’s last 2 years on this earth were a constant battle. His medications caused kidney failure and cancer. He went to dialysis 3 times a week in Shelbyville, where the staff at DaVita Dialysis truly helped to keep him alive and fighting. He survived covid pneumonia, a car crash that almost took his life and broke his back, and cancer for ultimately 2 years before it ended his life. His determination and spirit were unwavering even with the constant stays at Jewish 3 east. The Transplant team and staff at Jewish became like a second family for Paul and although he was a character, they kept him healthy enough to keep up the fight. He was 2 months shy of his 10 year lung-a-versary.

He is preceded in death by his parents Alvin and Arnita Mattingly; his son Allen Mattingly; and 2 sisters Diane and Nina Mattingly.

Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 40 years Julie Mattingly; his daughter Jenny Quinn (David); sisters Linda Ryan, Judy Mattingly (Cathy Turner); his brother Bobby Mattingly (Susan); grandchildren (Connor, Ollie, and Owen Quinn)

There will be a graveside service at 1:30 on Friday, March 28, 2025 at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central, Radcliff, KY with Military Honors. Julie asks that you wear blue and green for Donate Life.  Feel free to meet at the Ratterman and Sons Funeral Home Jeffersontown 10600 Taylorsville Rd at 11:30, as there will be a procession to the Cemetery.

The family requests please no flowers, all donations go to the Second Chance at Life, P.O. Box 21425, Louisville, KY 40221.