Karl Bozeman

Karl Bozeman was the sixth of seven children born to Jesse and Lillie Bozeman on December 18, 1926 in a small farmhouse in Longstreet, Louisiana. According to Karl,(and I quote) Longstreet is 3 miles north of Funston, 3 miles south of Carroll's Mill, 7 miles south of Keatchie, 15 miles south of Kickapoo #1, 8 miles north of Logansport and 35 miles south of Shreveport.

Karl graduated from Longstreet school in 1943 at age 17 and moved to Lufkin, Texas where he worked the next 17 years for Lufkin Foundry and Machine Company as a warehouse supervisor including a two year stint as PFC in the U.S. Army from 1943-1945.

Karl met a pretty young thing while attending the Pineywoods Business College in the fall of 1950. Joreen says it was "love at first sight". Karl married Jody on August 18, 1951 in the parlor of First Baptist Church in Lufkin, Texas. Karl said the Lord richly blessed them with two bright and beautiful daughters, Karen and Brenda.

In 1957 Karl was asked to teach at Glorieta Baptist Conference Center in New Mexico. During that experience and counseling with a friend there he began to feel God moving him to a full time Christian vocation. He had a heart for children, especially preschoolers. Knowing a college degree was a necessity, at age 31 he began his post educational journey while working full time and spending as much time as possible with his family. He completed a BS degree from North Texas State University, an MRE from Southwestern Theological Seminary and ME from UT Tyler.

He began his ministry journey as part-time Educational Director for Denman Avenue Baptist Church in Lufkin, Tx. Then he served as Director of Elementary and Kindergarten work at First Baptist Walnut Hill in Dallas, Tx. He continued to grow in ministry experience at Northrich Baptist Church in Richardson, Tx as Director of Preschool and Children's Work. All of these experiences were preparing him for his role as a consultant for preschool and children's work in the Sunday School Department of the Baptist General Convention. During that time he led conferences and training for churches across the state of Texas, impacting the growth of preschool and children's work in the local church.

After tropical storm Amelia June 1, 1978 Karl was given an additional assignment as Coordinator of Temporary Emergency Child Care for the Baptist General Convention of Texas. He designed, equipped and furnished the first Temporary Emergency Child Care trailer. He would assist with 23 disasters over the next 24 years ministering to families and their children. The Brotherhood Commission published "AN EASY GUIDE TO DEVELOPING AN EMERGENCY CHILD CARE SYSTEM: (free child care in the aftermath of major disasters)"

Karl's last full time ministry position was with the Baptist Brotherhood Commission in Memphis, Tn. where he served as Royal Ambassador Director and Editor of Crusader Royal Ambassador work. Karl retired as the National Royal Ambassador Director of the Southern Baptist Convention in 1992.

During retirement Karl became the Brotherhood Director at Mimosa Lane Baptist Church. Working with talented and skilled people like Mitch Coats, Jeff McWhorter, Bobby Roundtree, Carl Schweers, George Felkner, Jim Pearson, Mike Harmon, Rodney Vansickle many ministry projects were birthed. The Thumb Busters Fix it Squad and the Pit Stop Ministry served widows, single moms and the seniors that needed help in home repair or car repairs. Karl also served as Sunday School Senior Adult Director there.

Karl Bozeman is preceded in death by his wife, Joreen Hayes Bozeman, his parents, Jesse and Lillie Bozeman, brothers Conway Bozeman, C. R. Bozeman, Melvin Bozeman and sisters Merva Sinclair, Margaret Helton and YV Bozeman. He is survived by his daughters Karen Gray and husband Gary, and Brenda Hass and husband Artie. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Steven Gray and wife, Amanda, Alisa Yates and husband, Jaymz, Aaron Hass and wife, Kandace, Ryan Gray and wife, Brooke, Alanna, Thompson and husband, David. Karl and Joreen enjoyed twelve great grandchildren - Lucas Gray, Emma Gray, Nora Gray, Noah Yates, Adalyn Yates, Asher Hass, Harper Hass, Makkedah Thompson, Jennifer Thompson, Jayden Thompson, Annie Thompson, and Jackson Thompson along with many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Texas Baptist Men Disaster Relief Texas Baptist Men, 5351 Catron, Dallas, TX,  75227, 214-275-1100.

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Karl Bozeman, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.