Rev. Robert McLain "Tk" Paris

He is survived by his wife, Patricia (Trishia) Sankey Paris, his son Kelsey Bryant and Kelsey's fiancee Crystal Carroll, all of Supply, NC, his mother Elaine Proffer of Gainesville, Texas, and his stepmother Evora Paris of Greenville, Texas. He was predeceased by his father, Ernest Dwayne "Pete" Paris and brother, Danny.

To tell you who my husband TK was as a person....

He never met a stranger. He loved being around people and had a good clean sense of humor and a quick wit. He never missed telling a Veteran that he appreciated his or her service. He earned a Doctorate in Ministries from Isaiah University and was always ready to share the Gospel with anyone.

Robert began preaching at the age of 13 and was ordained at the age of 18 through the original Cowboy Christian Fellowship. He served at several churches over the years, wrote thousands of sermons and exhortations, and continued ministry and pastoral counseling online.

He had to use crutches to walk so he wasn't able to serve in the military, but he was very patriotic. As a teenager he rode a larger size tricycle to deliver an afternoon paper route. One afternoon as he delivered to the last house on his route the gentleman whom he only knew to be retired from the Air Force stepped outside and said in a firm military voice: "Mis-ter Paris, I have never seen you without a smile. What is the matter?" Robert told him that he had tried to join the Civil Air Patrol and that the Commander had abruptly told him not to let the door hit his backside on the way out. The retired Air Force gentleman told him, "You wait right here." He went inside for a few minutes and came back out, handing Robert a sealed envelope and telling him to take it to the CAP Commander, At the next week's meeting time he took the letter to the CAP Commander, who opened and read it, then looked up at Robert and said: "Why didn't you tell me you knew a Lt. General?" Robert simply replied, "Sir, you didn't ask." And so it was that Robert was able to join the CAP. He was put in charge of radio communications and learned all he could about the FCC rules and regulations. Having obtained the certifications to operate a civilian radio station, he later worked as a disc jockey in College Station, Texas. He was an excellent salesman as well and became the top advertising salesman for the station. He was also active on the CB radio and known by the handle "The Crusader".

Robert was a former team roper (healer) on the rodeo circuit, in spite of the fact that he was born with five major birth defects and had 37 surgeries as a child/teenager. He preached on the rodeo circuit and was known to have baptized a few rodeo cowboys in a horse trough when necessary (even when the ice had to be broken). He was a member of the Working Ranch Cowboy Association, and he and his team roping partner WR won the WRCA Finals in 1974. He was also a member and participant of the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association). He was personal friends with Lane Frost, and was with Chris LeDoux at the time the incident occured that inspired Chris to write "This Cowboy's Hat" on a table napkin. And in case you're wondering how he was able to ride a horse with his physical limitations, he trained his horse to kneel so that he could mount and dismount easily.

Robert was a sixth generation Texian and proud of it. His family's history in Texas went back to the days of the Republic of Texas. Since there were too many cowboys named Robert on the rodeo circuit he took the nickname "Texian Kid", or "TK" for short.

TK wasn't afraid to test his limits and "cowboy up" to achieve or exceed them. He held a 10th Degree Black Belt in Jiu Jitsu and was a member of the World Black Belt Bureau. He was a volunteer firefighter and although his mobility was compromised, he was able to run the pump truck. He was a Red Cross volunteer and shelter manager during various catastrophes, including Hurricane Katrina. He was a Paramedic Instructor Trainer in Texas. He and his partner on the ambulance were sent to California for training and brought the paramedic program back to Texas when it was first started.

He had a compassionate servant's heart, and has always been attuned to helping others and ministering to them.

He said that since he didn't know how long he would live, he wanted to experience as much of life as he could. And he certainly did: I lovingly called him "The Most Interesting Man in the World" because of all the various things he had attempted, experienced, and accomplished.

I'm certain there was a great reunion in Heaven with Lane and Chris, as well as WR, and Grandpa and Grandma, his father "Pete", and especially with his younger brother Danny who passed away at the age of 4 when Robert was 6.

His was a life well lived, and I am extremely blessed to have been a part of it.

Until I see you again my One and Only, all my love forever. To God be the glory! Hallelujah! Amen!

"For I know the plans I have for you' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

In lieu of flowers, donations for Robert's final expenses may be sent through: https://gofund.me/a4adccb3

or sent directly to the family at: PayPal.me/TrishiaP52

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.whitefuneralservicesupply.com for the Paris family.