Donald S. Aultman Passes Away

Dr. Donald S. Aultman, a leader who touched many levels of the Church of God, passed away early on March 19, 2018. He was 87.

Beginning his ministerial career at the age of 18 as a minister of music, he became director of youth and Christian education for the state of Texas at age 20, followed by his first pastorate at age 21 in Wichita Falls, Texas. He served for four years as the youth and C.E. director in Michigan and two years in Florida, before being elected as assistant director of Youth and Christian Education for the Church of God in 1960 at the age of 30. From 1964-1968 he was one of the youngest ever to be elected to serve as General Director of Youth and C.E.

Aultman

Upon completion of his leadership in the youth department, Aultman became vice president and dean at Lee College (University), one year before earning his Ed.D. in Education Psychology from the University of Tennessee. Dr. Aultman served four years in the post at the critical juncture when Lee College received full accreditation as a liberal arts college from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Upon completion of his tenure at Lee, Aultman spent two years as state overseer of Northern California/Nevada.

For over 20 years, Dr. Aultman’s career took him into the financial services industry where he served in a number of capacities, including Senior Vice President of Financial Service Corporation of Atlanta and President of Sun America Planning Corp. in Los Angeles.

His business and educational experience prepared Dr. Aultman for a return to Church of God leadership where he assumed the role of director of the newly-formed School of Ministry in 1996. He moved to vice chancellor of the Division of Education two years later, serving until becoming chancellor and international director of the combined Ministerial Development and School of Ministry in 2006. In 2010, Aultman was appointed as president and CEO of the Church of God Foundation where he served until retirement in 2014.

Dr. Aultman was the author of and contributor to 10 books and was the recipient of numerous honors and recognitions.

“Dr. Donald Aultman was one of the brilliant minds in the Church of God who applied his gifts and talents for Kingdom advancement,” stated General Overseer Timothy M. Hill. “He was a remarkable leader with the rare ability to cast a lasting vision. Wherever he served there was an indelible imprint of progress, positive change and Christian servitude.”

Dr. Aultman leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife of 67 years, Winona. They are the parents of two daughters, Melodie and Melissa. Tentative arrangements are for the funeral to take place on Thursday, March 22 at The Chapel on the Lee University campus.

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