Sangree, Paul Clausen (1930-2010)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2010 Nov 15 p. 9

Birth date: 1930 Apr 13

text of obituary:

PAUL CLAUSEN SANGREE

Paul Clausen Sangree, 80, of Lancaster, Pa., died July 8, 2010, at Lancaster General Hospital after a brief battle with T-Cell Lymphoma. He was born April 13, 1930, to George and Louise (Clausen) Sangree in Harrisburg.

Although born into a Christian home, he became embittered after his mother died when he was 12. At age 18 he became an atheist. He attended Kutztown State College and Cooper Union School of Architecture in New York City.

He and Patricia Thomas, his first wife, lived in New York City and later moved to Philadelphia, where he established his own firm, Environmental Design Collaborative. In 1970 a devastating house fire in which they lost everything led to his conversion and reconciliation with his father and a move from Philadelphia back to Harrisburg.

He gave up his architectural practice and studied the Bible for two years. He and Patricia wanted to go into missions but were refused several times and eventually accepted an assignment with Philhaven Hospital to work in Palmyra at their half-way house. This led them to Gingrich Mennonite Church and introduction to Mennonite life. The bishop invited him to become assistant pastor at a small church in Lebanon County known as Schubert. But on the day of Paul’s ordination the senior pastor said he would resign and Paul should take charge. After serving at Schubert, he served at Peace Chapel in Harrisburg for six years.

Patricia preceded him in death on July 1, 1997.

He served as pastor at Masonville Church in Lancaster County for two years, then became a helper to Pastor Dwayne Metzler of University Christian Fellowship on the campus of Millersville University.

He married a widow, Martha Gingrich Charles, on Aug. 31, 2002. Together they served at UCF until he was called to become interim pastor at Marietta Community Chapel.

Survivors include his wife, Martha; three children, Karl, Allen and Jill; Martha’s four children, Stephen, Samuel, Eunice and Jesse; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; Martha’s nine grandchildren; his 91-year-old stepmother; sisters Carol and Georgia; half-sisters Joy and Faith and half-brother David.

Memorial services were held at Landisville Mennonite Church.