The Oklahoma Disciples Foundation joins family, friends, and the wider church in remembering Paul Eugene Thompson, Tulsa, Oklahoma, who died on September 9 at the age of 88.
Paul’s service to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) took many forms. He served as Regional Moderator for the Christian Church in Oklahoma, chaired the board of Church Extension, and offered his leadership to numerous ministries of the church.
His service to ODF came at a pivotal moment. In 2002, two predecessor foundations merged to form the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation, and Paul was unanimously elected the first president of the newly merged organization.
Paul helped guide the Foundation through those formative years as it established new policies, systems, and leadership, including the search that brought Kyle Maxwell to ODF in 2003. After completing his presidency, Paul remained on the board through 2006, often drawing on his legal experience as the Foundation addressed legal, estate, and fiduciary matters.
At the end of his presidency, Paul told his fellow directors that he was encouraged by the Foundation’s progress and believed ODF would “really make a difference.”
Paul’s life outside the boardroom reflected the same curiosity and involvement. He was a pilot who first soloed at 16, a mechanic, a scuba diver, a bread baker, and a student of World War II history. His obituary remembers someone who always seemed to have another project underway, including a decades-long effort to recreate a memorable Chicago garlic hot dog.
We give thanks for Paul, for his leadership, his service, and the role he played in shaping the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation during its formative years.
Our prayers are with Kay, his wife of nearly 62 years, their family, and everyone who knew and loved him. No service is planned. Those who knew Paul are encouraged to visit his online obituary and leave a memory or message for his family.