Passing of Former Knight Commander Paulson
It is my sad duty to inform you that Thomas G. Paulson II passed away on Wednesday, May 20, 2015, in Orinda, California. He served as the 34th Knight Commander from 1993 until 1997. Paulson was born in Modesto, California on March 5, 1930.
He was initiated by the Alpha Xi Chapter at the University of California, Berkeley in 1949. Paulson served as Commander of the Daniel R. Neal Province from 1958 to 1963, when he was elected to the Executive Council serving continuously until 1997. Paulson served as Senior Councilor from 1977 to 1979 and again from 1992 to 1993. He was elected Knight Commander in 1993 in Charlotte, North Carolina, and reelected in 1995 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Former Knight Commander Paulson served as a General Officer longer than any other in the history of the Order.
He was chairman of the Order’s investment committee beginning in 1969 and oversaw the transition to common stocks to build the capital base of the Order’s investments. He served as President of the Fraternity Housing Corporation and oversaw the return of twenty-seven chapter houses to local chapter housing corporations. He also served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Kappa Alpha Order Educational Foundation and was named a Life Trustee in 2011. A member of numerous Courts of Honor, Paulson was also a recipient of the Knight Commander’s Accolade and a member of the Loyal Order and 1865 Trust.
Paulson wrote the foreword to the 1994 book The History of Kappa Alpha Order. The forthcoming history book shall be dedicated in part to his memory.
He is survived by his wife Pat, as well as his four children, Chris, Marion, Susan and Peter. Condolences may be sent to Mrs. Paulson at 147 Amber Valley Drive, Orinda, CA 94563. No public service is planned. Contributions may be made in Former Knight Commander Paulson’s memory to the Kappa Alpha Order Educational Foundation.
Knight Commander William E. Dreyer has declared an official period of mourning for thirty (30) days beginning on May 21, 2015. During this time, members should wear a hatchment (black ribbon, 1/2 inches wide and 3/4 inches long) behind their official badge, and, the Order’s flag shall be flown at half-staff at the National Administrative Office.
Read the PDF version of the memo from Knight Commander William E. Dreyer here.
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- FKC dinner at the 2011, 73rd Convention, Phoenix, Arizona
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- FKC Paulson's official portrait which hangs at Mulberry Hill
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- Paulson's first KC Message in the KA Journal
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- Paulson with wife Pat and FKC Traylor and guest Karen Johnson
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- Paulson with chapter brother FKC Pardini
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- Paulson with Bill and Edna Wood
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- Paulson snuck in past the FKC processional at 2011, 73rd Convention KC banquet--and celebrated!
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- Paulson re-elected as KC
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- Paulson in Berkeley for Province Council
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- Paulson presenting Duke-Alpha Phi a Marshall Award
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- Paulson delivering a nomination speech in 2011
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- Paulson becoming Neal Province Commander
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- Paulson at 73rd Convention KC Banquet
