Paul Wilson, 77, died Feb. 18, 2024.Undated image courtesy of NIRSA
By Pam Watts, executive director at NIRSA
It is with great sadness that we share news of the loss of Paul Wilson, retired Director of Intramural Rec Sports at the University of Oklahoma and longtime NIRSA Historian. Paul was an Emeritus member of the Association who first joined in 1976 and attended every conference except one from the time that he joined until 2019.
Paul, 77, died Feb. 18, 2024.
Paul leaves a legacy of his own contributions to the campus recreation profession, but he’s also played an instrumental role in shaping the legacies of many of his colleagues and friends. Paul served as the second dedicated Historian for NIRSA; following Roy Yarbrough, “Paul viewed the role not only as someone recording the milestones of our history, but also as educating people on who we are and how we got here,” says Lexi Chaput, Senior Assistant Director – Programs at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and current member of NIRSA’s History and Legacy Committee.
Many people will remember Paul capturing photos at NIRSA events, a skill and hobby he picked up while serving our country in Vietnam. Others will remember Paul as a hall of fame official who earned his stripes while in the Air Force. Still others will remember Paul as the first Black intramural director at a predominantly white institution, the University of Oklahoma, where Paul spent his entire professional career. In 2017, NIRSA published a profile of Paul’s extensive career achievements, association contributions, and personal passions: we invite members to read or revisit that profile in honor of Paul’s recent passing.
Paul’s contribution to the history of our association includes nine years of traveling to NIRSA Headquarters in Corvallis to catalogue our association’s rich history. He also directed the collection of recorded interviews with past presidents and honor award recipients.
With the news of Paul’s passing, many association leaders have shared remembrances and stories honoring Paul.
Remembrances
For more information, pictures and to read remembrances and tributes to Paul, visit the post on NIRSA's website.
Memorial services
Paul is survived by his wife, Charlotte; sons, Paul (Ravon), Emmanuel and Marlon Wilson; daughter, Payge; stepdaughters, Angela Washington, and Kristi Dixon; grandchildren, Liliana, Kylie, Kiara, Kolbi, and Elijah; and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews.
The family will receive friends for a visitation from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. on Thursday at Havenbrook Funeral Home in Norman, Okla., and from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. on Friday at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel in Coffeyville, Kan.
Paul’s Homegoing Service will be at St. Johns Church of Faith in Coffeyville, on Saturday at 10 a.m. local time. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery.
Online condolences may be shared at www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com or at Paul’s obituary page at www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com.
History and Legacy Committee
NIRSA’s History and Legacy Committee hopes that its work will continue highlight and pay tribute to the history of NIRSA and will honor Paul’s legacy and memory.
If you’d like to share historically significant milestones, or details about NIRSA’s legacy contributors, please contact either Co-Chair of the NIRSA History and Legacy Committee: Silvia Chan, Senior Associate Director of University of Connecticut Recreation or Mark Williams, Director of RecSports at the University of Notre Dame.
