Paul Volz

Reverend Paul Volz, 81, a resident of Carrollton, Texas, died on Friday, August 24, 2012, at the Atria Assisted Living Facility in Carrollton, Texas. His late wife, Judith, was the daughter of the late Rev. & Mrs. Alfred C. Seltz of Fergus Falls. Paul was born May 5, 1931 in Willmar, Minnesota. He was the son of Oswald Samuel and Louise Marie (Werling) Volz. He was the third child of seven children. He grew up in Faribault and St. Paul, MN. Paul was baptized into the Lord’s family on May 24, 1931 by his father, Rev. Oswald S. Volz, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Willmar, MN and later confirmed his faith in Jesus Christ on March 25, 1945 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Faribault, MN. He graduated in 1951 from Concordia College, St. Paul, MN in pre-ministerial studies; then attended Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO, attaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1953 and a Master of Divinity degree in 1956. Paul was Ordained and Commissioned to serve as Missionary to Nigeria, West Africa on July 22, 1956, at The Lutheran Church of the Atonement in Florissant, MO. On June 17, 1956 he married Judith June Seltz at Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria, MN. The newlyweds attended a missionary training course in St. Louis, MO. After Paul’s Ordination and Commissioning, he and Judy soon embarked on their life of service to the Lord in Africa. While in Africa their marriage was blessed with four children - Ruth Louise, John Paul, and Laura Jane, born in Nigeria and Carl Martin, born in Ethiopia. 1956-1963 Nigeria, West Africa: “Paul’s service as an evangelistic missionary in Cross River state, Nigeria, led him into education, specifically teaching at the Lutheran Seminary and the Preliminary Teachers’ Training School in Obot Idim, where he also managed the Lutheran Bookshop, the Lutheran Press, and was founding director of the Christian Radio Studio, the African arm of the Lutheran Hour.” 1964 -1970 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: The work in Nigeria “led him to Addis Ababa, where he served as station manager and director of the Lutheran World Federation Broadcasting Services station.” (Radio Voice of the Gospel) 1970 - 1980 Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa: “When the Ethiopian government closed this radio station, he served various church groups in East Africa as a consultant. He concluded his ministry in Africa with a five year term as resident representative of Norwegian Church Aid in East Africa.” NCA had relief and development projects in southern Sudan. 1981 - 1985 St. Louis, MO: “His experiences and talents (were) utilized in his position as Secretary for District and Parish Social Ministry services of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.” 1985 - 1990 Aurora, IL: He served as Executive Director for Lutheran Bible Translators. Beginning in 1990, Paul served as pastor to several congregations: Trinity Lutheran in Ithaca, NY where he also served as chaplain at Cornell University and the hospital in Ithaca; Christ Lutheran, Interlaken, NY; First Lutheran, Ponca City, OK; and Immanuel Lutheran in Waterloo, IA. In 1999 Paul served the Oklahoma District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod living in Moore, OK. Paul retired the summer of 2000 and in 2001 he and Judy moved to Carrollton, Texas to live near family. Holy Cross Lutheran in Dallas became their church home. November 2004, Paul and Judy moved to Atria Assisted Living enjoying their last years with the Atria family. Paul’s service to Missions Ministry was recognized by his alma mater, Concordia University, St. Paul, Minnesota when he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters degree on May 29, 1982. “Paul’s commitment to spread the Good News to all people, his sensitive compassion for the physical and spiritual needs of all people, and his desire to reach more people by innovative and non-traditional methods of communicating the Gospel have marked his career as a humble, competent, and dedicated servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul loved people and enjoyed visiting with anyone of any age! Paul and Judy both enjoyed classical & sacred music and singing in choirs. Paul also enjoyed photography, swimming, traveling and flowers, particularly chrysanthemums. While in Kenya, he loved camping by the Indian Ocean with his family and driving through game parks to watch & photograph Africa’s wild animals. Paul is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Bernita and her husband, Donald Heideman; sister, Norma; brother, Carl; brother, Victor; and his wife, Judy. Survivors include Paul and Judy’s four children and five grandchildren. Ruth Volz of Guangzhou, China; John Volz and wife Jan of Odessa, FL and their children Hannah and Emma; Laura Swor and husband Tom of Carrollton, TX and their children Sarah and Ryan; Carl Volz and wife Lisa of Peoria, IL and their daughter Ruth. Also surviving are his brother, Walter Volz and wife Gloria of Plantation, FL and their family; and brother, Marvin Volz of Cypress, TX and his family; as well as spouses and families of his deceased siblings, Roland Mueller of Winfield, KS; Lydia Volz of St. Paul, MN; and family of sister Bernita.  Visitation:  One hour prior to the service at the church Service: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 29, 2012, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls Clergy: Reverends Curtis Deterding, Walter Volz, and Roger Lange, and Rev. Dr. James P. Dretke Interment: Bethlehem Cemetery in Fergus Falls Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls is in charge of the arrangements.