Paul B. Gilkenson

lifetime.

Born in Saylesville, Rhode Island, on December 9, 1932, Paul was the son of Francis Gilkenson and Ruth Middleton Gilkenson. He studied textile engineering at the Rhode Island School of Design. Shortly after graduating, he married Lillian Provan in 1955. They shared 68 happy years of marriage before her passing.

Paul began his career as a textile engineer with Western Electric in Kearny, New Jersey. His outstanding managerial talent was recognized early, and he was awarded a prestigious Sloan Fellowship at Stanford Business School. He advanced into general management, with a career that took his family to communities across the country. After retiring from AT&T Network Systems, he began a second career as a management consultant. In 2007, Paul and Lillian returned to the Atlanta area to be close to their children and grandchildren.

Family was Paul’s first priority. He delighted in Lillian’s gift of hospitality, and together they hosted parties and welcomed guests into their home wherever they lived. Paul treasured his many close friendships and continued making new friends until the very end of his life.

Paul had a deep, abiding faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and personal Savior. Anyone who sat with him for ten minutes was likely to hear the good news someone had shared with him when he was a child. His church home was North Atlanta Bible Chapel in Doraville, Georgia. He also served for many years on the board of directors of Christian Missions in Many Lands (CMML).

Paul was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife, Lillian. He is survived by his sister, Fern Stebbings, of Attleboro, Massachusetts; his brother, Steve Gilkenson, and his wife, Francine, of West Palm Beach, Florida; and his three sons and their wives: P. Stephen and Mary Louise Gilkenson, of Milton, Georgia; John and Nancy Gilkenson, of Laurens, South Carolina; and Bob and Ree Gilkenson, of Cumming, Georgia. He also leaves nine grandchildren and their spouses, 13 great-grandchildren, and many dear friends.

Family and friends are invited to visitation at 1:00 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Roswell Funeral Home, 950 Mansell Ct E, Roswell, GA 30076.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Paul’s memory to Christian Missions in Many Lands (CMML). Donations may be made online at give.cmml.us/donate/missions or by mail to CMML, Inc., PO Box 13, Spring Lake, NJ 07762-0013.