Paul Ray Camp

Paul Ray Camp was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on Saturday, May 6, 2023, after a life well-lived. He was born in Elk City, Oklahoma on September 8, 1944, to Curtis and Sylvia Camp.

Although a lifelong Oklahoma Sooners fan, Paul came to Texas “As soon as I was old enough to walk there.” His family moved to Amarillo when he was six months of age and he lived his youth throughout Texas in Amarillo, Tulia, Dallas, and Big Spring. He graduated from Big Spring High School in 1963 and continued his education at Abilene Christian College graduating in 1966 with a Bachelor’s degree in religious education. Later, he also received his Master’s degree in education from Abilene Christian University.

He was united in marriage to Donna Lee Bassham on August 28, 1964, and they enjoyed fifty-eight years of marriage. To this union, two sons were born- Curt and Russell. Paul had the pleasure of coaching both of his sons at Amarillo Christian High School, which was a joy and …sometimes discomfort to all involved. While coaching at Amarillo Christian High School, his basketball team won the State title in 1989 and he was named Texas High School Boys Coach of the Year for TAPPS-Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools.

Paul had a true servant’s heart and spent his life increasing the table fellowship of the Kingdom of God. He led the song worship at church starting at the age of fourteen. He preached at Golden Plains Church of Christ for the most part of the last thirty years of his life. He also served as an Elder at Golden Plains. He worked at High Plains Children’s Home where he was recognized for having “A Career of Services to Children in Need.” For twenty-six years he served at HPCH in several capacities including: Public Relations, Counselor, Executive Director, Director of Special Projects, Management Information Systems, and Publications. Throughout all of his careers and callings, coaching remained his heart’s passion. Paul was a highly successful basketball coach at both Amarillo Christian High School and Alamo Catholic High School. He loved every athlete that played for him and taught invaluable life lessons both on and off the court. Above all, he taught his players to compete hard until the final buzzer. A lesson he modeled until his last breath.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Curtis and Sylvia Camp.

He loved and was loved by his survivor’s; wife, Donna of the home, sons Curt and wife Wendy, and Russell and wife Jessica; six grandchildren, Elizabeth, Emily, Ethan, Greyson, Matson, and Cutter; brother Lynn and wife Barbara, and sister Gail and husband Ron Stubbs- all of Amarillo; and ten nieces and nephews.

Paul’s celebration of life will be held at 11:00 AM, May 20, at Comanche Trails Church of Christ. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be made to either Golden Plains Church of Christ; or EEM- Eastern European Missions.