Paul Alexander Rader

1934 - 2025

Paul Alexander Rader

March 14, 1934 - January 18, 2025

Lexington, Kentucky - We want to join with the global community in celebrating the life and faithful service of General (Dr.) Paul Alexander Rader of Lexington, Kentucky who passed away peacefully at the age of 90 and was Promoted to Glory on January 18, 2025 at 6:10pm.

Born in the Bronx in 1934, and raised in a wholly committed legendary Salvation Army family, Rader spent his undergraduate years at Asbury University, then studied at Asbury Theological Seminary and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary graduating with BA, BD and MTh degrees.

At Asbury, he met and married his wife, Kay (Fuller), who graduated with a BA degree in education. Together, they entered The Salvation Army School for Officer Training in New York in September 1960 and were commissioned a year later.

Rader and his wife were missionaries in South Korea for 22 years serving in a variety of capacities including principal of the training college and administrative leaders. During his years in Korea (1961-1983), Rader rose in The Salvation Army ranks from Lieutenant to Colonel. It was also during this period that he received his Doctorate in Missiology from Fuller Theological Seminary(1971-1973). In January 1989, Colonel Rader was appointed Chief Secretary of the USA Eastern Territory, and in October 1989 was promoted to the rank of Commissioner and became leader of the USA Western Territory.

In 1994, Rader was elected the first American-born General of The Salvation Army with an unprecedented unanimous vote and held this London-based role of international leader until 1999. Together, General (Dr.) Rader and his wife travelled to over 75 countries in order to bring encouragement, inspiration and growth to the work of The Salvation Army around the world. Upon retirement General (Dr.) Rader served as president of Asbury University from 2000 through 2006 and was Asbury's 15th president. General (Dr.) Rader retired as president in 2006 and lived his remaining years in Lexington, Kentucky with his beloved wife Kay.

General (Dr.) Rader was a Godly man who lived in service to others and, most of all, to Christ. He was a lifelong learner with a deep commitment to education, the power of prayer and holiness. He was the most devoted of husbands to his wife of 68 years, Kay, and her strongest supporter as they shared in ministry side by side. He was also the most devoted of fathers, grandfathers and great grandfathers leaving a legacy of love, integrity, humility and conviction. General (Dr.) Rader is survived by his wife, Kay, and three children: Edie (Jack) Moon, JP (Helen) Rader, Jennie (Ray) Purvis; 8 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren along with countless extended family members and friends.

A memorial service celebrating the life of General (Dr.) Paul Alexander Rader will be held in Hughes Auditorium on the campus of Asbury University on Saturday February 1, 2025 at 1:00pm.

The greeting of the family will begin at 11:30am to 12:30pm in Hughes Auditorium. A reception is to be held after the service in the Shaw Collaborative Learning Center of Asbury University. 1 Macklem Dr., Wilmore, KY 40390.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to: https://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/

To leave a condolence, or share a memory of General (Dr.) Rader, please visit the Tribute Wall https://www.kerrbrothersfuneralhome.com/

Link to Rader Story from Asbury University: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilQF5dePVmA