Paul Edgar West

Paul Edgar West, age 87, passed away in his home in Warner, Oklahoma, on May 20th, 2026. Paul was born in Battle Creek, Michigan, on August 23rd, 1938. Paul graduated from a Baptist High School in Arkansas in 1956, and graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University in 1961, with a B.S. degree in Mathematics. He graduated from Texas Tech University in 1965, with a M.S. degree in Mathematics, and did additional Graduate Studies in computers at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, from 1968 to 1970. Paul had a 44-year career as a mathematics and computer teacher in various high schools in Texas, and at Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas. In 1975, Paul was hired as the Director of the Computer Center at Connors State College in Warner, Oklahoma, a position he held for 29 years until his retirement in 2004. Paul was preceded in death by his first wife, Velma Lou West; and his second wife, Anita Belle West; parents, North and Frances West, brother, David West; and brother-in-law, Dick Campbell. He is survived by his wife of the home, Patricia West; sisters Mary Campbell and Carol Lewis and husband Doug; daughter Paula Whitman and her husband Mike Whitman; son, Samuel West, and his wife Kristene West; son, Kelly West; daughter, Rebecca Shackelford and her husband Charlie Shackelford; 11 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. Through his marriage to Patricia, Paul was blessed with an extended family whom he loved dearly, including daughter Jennifer Blackford and her husband James; son Jon Hughes and his wife Carrie; son Jay Hughes and his wife Katie; and son Jacen Hughes and his wife Becca, along with their 19 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one grandson. Paul married his high school sweetheart, Velma Lou Nigh, on August 29th, 1958, at Trinity Baptist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. They were married for 51 years until Velma died on January 26th, 2010. Paul then had the good fortune to marry a longtime friend and widow Anita Stroud, and they were married on September 4th, 2010. They were married for 8 years until Anita died on May 14th, 2018. Paul then had the good fortune to marry another widow and personal friend, Patricia, at First Baptist Church in Warner, Oklahoma. They were married on November 11th, 2018, and were happily married for the past 7 and a half years. Paul made a profession of faith in Jesus at the age of 8 and was baptized in 1947 at the Immanuel Baptist Church in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Paul always loved church music and had a second major in music at Oklahoma Baptist University. In 1960, Paul served as the Minister of Music at First Baptist Church in Wetumpka, Oklahoma. For over 60 years, Paul continued to serve as Minister of Music in Baptist churches in Silverton, Texas; Midland, Texas; San Angelo, Texas; Carrollton, Texas; Checotah, Oklahoma; and Warner, Oklahoma. In 1986, Paul was invited to be Minister of Music at First Baptist Church, Warner, a position he held for 34 years until he retired in 2020. During those 60 plus years, Paul organized hundreds of church music groups, including adult choirs, youth choirs, youth handbell choirs, children's choirs, men's quartets, and ladies sextets. He also directed hundreds of Christian music programs and youth choir trips. After retiring in 2020, Paul joined the Oklahoma Baptist Symphony, an 80-member orchestra which does nine concerts per year in churches in Oklahoma. Paul also was asked to teach an adult Sunday School class, which he continued until his death. Paul was kind, gracious, dedicated, loving, thoughtful, and had a wonderful sense of humor. Through music, he joyfully worshiped the Lord and inspired others to draw closer to Him through worship and song. His faith, wisdom, and gentle encouragement will continue to impact all who knew him, and he will be deeply missed. A time of visitation will be at Cornerstone funeral home on Thursday, May 28, 2026, from 6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. Funeral services celebrating Paul’s life will be at 1:00p.m., Friday, May 29, 2026, at First Baptist Church, 810 2nd Avenue, Warner, Oklahoma, with Pastor Blaine Ross officiating. Interment will follow at Warner Memorial Cemetery with Elisha West, Israel Whitman, Judah Whitman, Moses West, Timothy West, Matthew Shackelford, Mark Shackelford, Michael Shackelford, and Paul K. West serving as pallbearers.

Paul Edgar West

August 23, 1938 - May 20, 2026