Bruce Palmer Paulson of Tulsa, Oklahoma, passed into the loving arms of Jesus, his Lord and Savior, on January 24, 2026. At 89 years old, he went home to heaven with a full and joyful heart, at last joining his beloved wife who had gone before him 18 months earlier.

Born and raised in southern Minnesota, Bruce spent his early days on a farm. He attended a small one-room schoolhouse until the 8th grade. With a Christian mother at the piano, he and his brother, Sylvan, sang in several churches in the countryside. His aunt was a missionary with the Indians of northern Minnesota.

The family moved to central Minnesota where he attended high school. While there, Bruce was involved in many school activities: he was editor of the school paper, student director of the school choir and band, president of the FTA (Future Teachers of America), and he graduated salutatorian of his class. He also received two scholarships.

Bruce went on to college at the Lutheran Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. He was selected as a member of the Concordia College Choir and sang and travelled around the United States and gave concerts with that well-known group.

The army was his next call of duty. Bruce was sent to Berlin, Germany, to join the 298th Army Band. The city was 110 miles behind the "Iron Curtain" of Russian occupation. Besides playing for parades and special events with the band, Bruce scored the highest of all 6,000 infantrymen on the rifle range. During those two years, he was able to travel to many European countries including visiting his Norwegian relatives.

Returning home, Bruce entered the University of Minnesota Graduate School where he received a Master of Music Education degree. Soon after graduation, Bruce married the love of his life, Mary, and they raised four children-David, Laura, Sara, and Rachel-in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Bruce directed choirs in two large schools in the city of Eau Claire. He and Mary both rededicated their lives to Jesus and were baptized in the Holy Spirit. Revival spread across the land! They held what they called "home meetings" in their own home where up to 50 people attended. Many were born again and baptized in the Holy Spirit. Even in Bruce's high school choir membership, over 65% of the students confessed to being born again in Jesus.

With two other city leaders, Bruce organized a conference on the Holy Spirit where people and pastors from four states came for three days of meetings. Over 300 people gave their lives to Jesus! One young man came up to Bruce on the street and said, "My wife got saved in one of your meetings last night. Can I get that?" Bruce prayed for him right there on the street. The revival continued for 10 years with "Women's Aglow" and "Full Gospel Businessmen" joining in.

Bruce and Mary were then called to a new location, Portland, Oregon. A good friend of Bruce's, Lorne Richman, from college days, lived there and helped them to get established. Bruce and Mary joined a large Christian church called, "Bible Temple," where he attended three years of Bible college, and Mary taught in their elementary school. Bruce taught music classes and gave singing lessons to the members of the college. Later he was chosen to be the principal of the K-12 Bible Temple Christian School.

Retirement came in 1999; however, Bruce and Mary continued to travel many places. Bruce had worked part-time for Continental Airlines, and this gave them free airline tickets to fly to many locations. They smuggled Bibles into China and Christian school books into the Philippines, and they took a week-long trip to Israel.

Bruce lived a life of kindness, faith, and quiet service. He was deeply involved in his community and cherished by all who knew him. He had a gentle humor and a generous spirit. His love for his family was evident in everything he did, and he was blessed to have his wonderful wife, Mary, and four wonderful children to help, love, and to enjoy.

Through all these years and events, Bruce's dedication to the Lord was the foundation of his life, and he often drew strength from Scripture and lived with the comfort of God's promises. One of his favorite verses was Psalm 95:1,2.

"Come let us sing to the Lord! Let us give a joyous shout to the Rock of our Salvation! Let us come before Him with thanksgiving!"

Bruce's legacy of faith and love with live on in the hearts of those he touched.