Dr. Thomas "Paul" Thigpen

Devoted Catholic husband, father, grandfather, friend, and world-renowned theologian Thomas Paul Thigpen, 71, passed away in his home in Kennesaw, Georgia, on February 24.

Paul was born in Savannah, Georgia, in 1954, to Travis and Margaret Thigpen. The middle of five children, he worked alongside his siblings at the meat market his parents owned, and developed a love of books and reading at a very young age, when an illness confined him indoors for some time. He grew up in a Christian home, and spent time in a variety of Christian denominations—and at one point, as an atheist—before finding his way home to the Catholic Faith he cherished and shared for the rest of his life.

Paul went to SC Johnson High School, graduating Valedictorian in 1972. He joined Teen Challenge as a missionary, touring with their Christian rock band throughout Europe.

In 1977, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from Yale University, singing in the Yale Glee Club and graduating summa cum laude. Paul married his beloved wife, Leisa Ghetti, in 1979; together they had two children. In the years following, he served as an associate pastor of a charismatic congregation, and a writer and editor for several Christian publishers. He earned a graduate degree in historical theology from Emory University in 1995.

True to his zealous namesake, Paul’s missionary work was remarkably widespread and fruitful. Paul served on the theology faculty of Missouri State University in Springfield; The College of St. Thomas More in Fort Worth, Texas; St. Leo University in Savannah, Georgia; and Southern Catholic College in Dawsonville, Georgia. In 2004, he was named editor of The Catholic Answer, a bimonthly publication of Our Sunday Visitor Publishing. He was appointed in 2008 to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ National Advisory Council. Paul also worked as editor of TAN Books for many years. His greatest joy was bringing people to the Faith, which he did for many years as Director of Adult Faith Formation at his local parish.

A best-selling author, award-winning journalist, apologist, catechist, professor, speaker, historian, musician, and theologian, Paul published more than 60 books, as well as five hundred journal and magazine articles in periodicals worldwide. In recent years, he was highly sought after for his knowledge on the potential of human encounters with extraterrestrial intelligence.

Paul was known for his contagious joy, warm smile, courageous spirit, generous heart, deep humility, and profound wisdom. He loved to spend time with his beautiful family, and selflessly discipled the men in his community, inspiring virtue in every one he met. He was exceptional at maintaining friendships even at great distances, and poured time and prayer into all those he godfathered, sponsored, and mentored.

Paul’s memory will live on in too many hearts to count, especially his beloved family, which was his greatest legacy: his lovely wife, Leisa; his daughter, Lydia Borja (Michael), and six grandchildren, Francisco, Sofia, Santiago, Lucia, Avila, and Victor; and his son, Elijah (Montana).

A visitation for Paul will be held at Winkenhofer Funeral Home in Kennesaw, Georgia, on Sunday, March 1 from 3:00-5:00 p.m., with a rosary at 4:30. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, March 2 at St. Catherine of Siena at 10:30 a.m., with a reception to follow in the parish hall. Please remember his soul in your prayers.

In Lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Dr. Paul Thigpen's family memorial fund at https://everloved.com/life-of/dr-paul-thigpen/donate/?flow=202#cause