Rev. George J. Pupius

Rev. George J. Pupius died November 23, 2018. Father Pupius was born on May 3, 1930, in Krebs, Okla., to John and Anna (Delugas) Pupius. After attending Krebs Elementary, he went on to Saint John Catholic High School in McAlester. After high school graduation in 1949, Father Pupius entered a Trappist monastery at the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani near Bardstown, Ky., where he took temporary vows. He left Gethsemani where he served alongside Thomas Merton (Father Louis) and entered the seminary for the Diocese of Oklahoma City and Tulsa in 1956. Father Pupius said he left the monastery because he lacked the skill to sing in the monastic choir. Father Pupius attended Saint John's Seminary in Little Rock, Ark. He was ordained a priest at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Oklahoma City on May 25, 1963. He faithfully served the Diocese of Oklahoma City and Tulsa, and later the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, for 55 years. Father Pupius served as pastor of Sacred Heart, Mangum (1969-73); Saint Eugene, Weatherford, and missions (1973-84); Saint Andrew, Moore (1984-1999); and Immaculate Conception, Oklahoma City (1999-2018). He served as associate pastor of Christ the King, Oklahoma City (1963); The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Oklahoma City (1963-67); and Saint Peter, Woodward, and missions (1967-69) as associate pastor. He retired from active ministry earlier this year. He is survived by his sister, Kay Pupius Lawrence, and niece, Geralyn Varney (husband Bruce). He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother John A. Pupius. A Vigil Service will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 29, at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help with Archbishop Emeritus Eusebius Beltran presiding; Father Joe Arledge as homilist. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 30, at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Archbishop Paul Coakley will be the main celebrant; Father Rusty Hewes as homilist. Smith & Kernke Funeral Directors is handling the funeral arrangements.