David Lee Severe

David grew up in Perry, OK, where he was Drum Major in the local band for two years. There he met his wife to be Paula Rue Carmony, who lived in nearby Hennessey, and who was also active in the Methodist Youth group. He attended Oklahoma State University for one year, then graduated from Oklahoma City University. David received his Master of Theology degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. Oklahoma City University later honored him with a Doctorate of Divinity.

David served as a local pastor in the United Methodist Church in the Oklahoma Conference for 51 years, starting as a student pastor while attending Oklahoma City University. His five decades of appointments included Morrison, Harrah, Springer, Hydro, University Church, Tulsa as Wesley Foundation Director & Assoc. Pastor, Hollis, Buffalo, Drumright, Tulsa Aldersgate, Mayfair Heights in Oklahoma City, Ada First United Methodist and Edmond First United Methodist. Wherever he and wife Paula served, parishioners became steadfast friends.

In 1991 David was appointed Executive Director of the Oklahoma Conference Council on Ministries and Church Growth and Development, where he served until retirement at age 70. During his tenure with the United Methodist Church, he served as Vice-Chair for Television Radio And Film Commission for the General Conference; Chair of the General Board of Health & Welfare Ministries; Vice-Chair of the Board of Education; Missions Secretary; Chair of the Board of Global Ministries and Chair of the Board of Communications.

Church related trips took David to El Salvador, Rio Bravo, Mexico, Haiti, Africa, as well as parts of Russia, Central and Southern Europe.

At the national level, he was chosen as the Outstanding Conference Board of Health & Welfare Chair. He served on the Division of Health & Welfare Ministries and chaired the Special Task Force on the Church and Persons with Handicapping Conditions. David was selected as a delegate to three Jurisdictional Conferences and two General Conferences. For eight years he chaired the Jurisdictional Rules Committee and served four years on the Executive Committee of the South Central Jurisdictional Conference.

Then in retirement, David served as Executive Director of the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church for 11 years. He co-wrote and published The History of the South Central Jurisdiction 1968-2008. He also taught a well-attended Sunday school class at St. Lukes UMC for 28 years.

Upon full retirement, David wrote and published Weeding the Garden of Eden, a book of memoirs and stories from his childhood and throughout his career. That book is available on Amazon.

David is survived by his wife Paula Severe; children Sherri Brown and son-in-law John Brown and Artie Severe and daughter-in-law Hayley Severe; grandchildren Christine Marie Parr and husband Brett, Mark Brown and wife Leslie, David Evan Severe and Taylor Severe; great-grandchildren Madison Brown, Sam Brown, Macie Brown, Jack Parr and Emily Parr, Manakai Palombo, Azlan Palombo and Rumi Palombo.

David Severe touched many lives. He left this world a better place.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Edmond First United Methodist Church to support the Media Outreach Ministry or to the Oklahoma Methodist Foundation to support the Oklahoma City University Severe Family Scholarship Fund.