1938
Stephen
2023
Stephen Paul Carleton
January 14, 1938 — November 5, 2023
Stephen Paul Carleton, 85, of Flower Mound, TX passed away on November 5, 2023. He was born January 14, 1938, in Shattuck, Oklahoma to Jacob Paul and Lois Carleton.
Steve was a preacher, educator, college vice president and Education Commissioner of the Southern Baptist Convention. From the pulpit, Steve’s powerful voice and wry sense of humor gave life to the word of God. As an academic, he inspired students and worked tirelessly to make higher education accessible to all who wished to pursue it.
Steve’s professional identity was integral to who he was, but his family will remember him first as a devoted husband, loving father, and adoring grandfather. Steve was married for 63 years to the love of his life, Louise Carleton. Louise and Steve met in college at Oklahoma Baptist University where he earned his bachelor’s degree. They spent most of their married life in Riverside, California raising their two daughters, Kimela and Becky.
Steve started his professional career as a preacher after graduating from Golden Gate Seminary in San Francisco. Soon he felt called to education and received his Master of Arts degree and PhD in Theology from the University of Chicago. He then accepted a position as a professor of history at California Baptist College (now University) in Riverside California. He continued at Cal Baptist taking a position of academic dean and later executive vice president. Later, he went on to become the Education Commissioner for the Southern Baptist Convention. In retirement he enjoyed golf, spending time with his granddaughters and running a fetal alcohol awareness program for the state of Oklahoma with Louise.
His daughters will always remember his laughter, love of storytelling and travel, and his great ability for making lasting friendships. In his last few years, even though living with dementia, he continued to spread joy. dancing, singing and telling tall tales to staff and residents that only he could understand. Although heavy with his loss, his family takes comfort knowing that Steve is now reunited with his wife, mother, father, and lifelong friends, voice restored, inspiring and entertaining a captive audience once more.
Survivors: Daughters, Kimela Burt and her husband Mark, Becky Carleton; granddaughters, Kaitlin Burt and Hanna Burt.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Steve's memory to Oklahoma Baptist University.
Steve was a preacher, educator, college vice president and Education Commissioner of the Southern Baptist Convention. From the pulpit, Steve’s powerful voice and wry sense of humor gave life to the word of God. As an academic, he inspired students and worked tirelessly to make higher education accessible to all who wished to pursue it.
Steve’s professional identity was integral to who he was, but his family will remember him first as a devoted husband, loving father, and adoring grandfather. Steve was married for 63 years to the love of his life, Louise Carleton. Louise and Steve met in college at Oklahoma Baptist University where he earned his bachelor’s degree. They spent most of their married life in Riverside, California raising their two daughters, Kimela and Becky.
Steve started his professional career as a preacher after graduating from Golden Gate Seminary in San Francisco. Soon he felt called to education and received his Master of Arts degree and PhD in Theology from the University of Chicago. He then accepted a position as a professor of history at California Baptist College (now University) in Riverside California. He continued at Cal Baptist taking a position of academic dean and later executive vice president. Later, he went on to become the Education Commissioner for the Southern Baptist Convention. In retirement he enjoyed golf, spending time with his granddaughters and running a fetal alcohol awareness program for the state of Oklahoma with Louise.
His daughters will always remember his laughter, love of storytelling and travel, and his great ability for making lasting friendships. In his last few years, even though living with dementia, he continued to spread joy. dancing, singing and telling tall tales to staff and residents that only he could understand. Although heavy with his loss, his family takes comfort knowing that Steve is now reunited with his wife, mother, father, and lifelong friends, voice restored, inspiring and entertaining a captive audience once more.
Survivors: Daughters, Kimela Burt and her husband Mark, Becky Carleton; granddaughters, Kaitlin Burt and Hanna Burt.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Steve's memory to Oklahoma Baptist University.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Stephen Paul Carleton, please visit our flower store.
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