Rev. Dr. Jerry W. Paul, age 65, of O'Fallon, Ill., born December 28, 1949 in Sedalia, Mo., died Wednesday morning, May 20, 2015 at his home after a brief and unexpected battle with liver cancer.

Rev. Paul received his undergraduate degree in Philosophy from Elmhurst College near Chicago, a Master of Divinity degree from Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, and a Master of Healthcare Administration degree from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. In 2013, he was the recipient of an honorary doctorate degree from Eden Seminary.

Rev. Paul had previously served various UCC churches in Wisconsin. He was a hospital executive from 1982-97, serving as president and CEO of Deaconess Incarnate Word Health System during its last 5 years. In 1997, when the hospital was sold, Rev. Paul served as founding president and chief executive officer of the Deaconess Foundation, creating it as an independent organization. He oversaw the creation of an innovative program of charitable giving. Under his leadership, the Foundation's major focus was working to improve the lives of children in stressed urban neighborhoods, particularly supporting charities that provide healthcare, educational support, housing assistance, and legal services - ultimately affecting the lives of tens of thousands of area youth and their families.

Among his professional peers, Rev. Paul was well-respected. His generosity and kindness served as an example to his colleagues. His style of leadership inspired others to develop their skills. During his long career, he served on the boards of more than 30 organizations and commissions, including several years as Chair of the St. Louis City Board of Public Health, and as adjunct professor at Washington University, St. Louis. Additionally, he assisted a wide variety of organizations, including several in India and Cameroon, in areas of planning, mission, and vision development.

In his spare time, Jerry truly valued time spent with his family; he had a passion for computers and photography equipment. He traveled often, both for personal enjoyment and also to assist mission-related institutions around the world. He had a generous spirit and a great sense of humor, even to his final day.

He was preceded in death by his son Joshua C. Paul, and his parents Carl and Mary Paul.

Surviving are his beloved wife of 44 years, Nancy Lou, nee Kalk, Paul, of O'Fallon, Ill., children Alison C. (David) DeSchryver of Washington, D.C., and Jacob G. (Erika) Paul of Hoboken, N.J.; his much-loved five grandchildren Alexander Jerry Paul-Torres, Anacarolina Paul-Torres, Audrey and August DeSchryver, and Jackson Jerry Paul; his sister Dorothy (Steve) Pruitt of Warsaw, Mo., and his mother-in-law Audrey I. Kalk of Sheboygan, Wisc.

Memorial Donations in lieu of flowers are suggested to charities that were special to Rev. Paul: Christian Activity Center (cacesl.org) P.O. Box 2525, East St. Louis, IL 62201 or Vellore Christian Medical College Foundation (vellorecmc.org) 475 Riverside Dr., New York, NY 10115.

Funeral: A Memorial Service to celebrate the life of Rev. Dr. Jerry Paul will begin at 4:30 pm, Tuesday, May 26, 2015, at Pilgrim United Church of Christ, 826 Union Blvd., St Louis, Mo 63108.