Paul Game Jr.

Paul Game, Jr. died February 1, 2025, in Roswell, Georgia. Paul’s was a life well-lived for others, through his love and care for his family and friends, his faith community, and society at large, as a faithful father, grandfather, husband, friend, federal judge, and servant leader in the Church. A life-long native of Tampa, Paul was born there on June 13, 1930, to Paul and Mary Arnold Game. After graduating from Plant High School, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Duke University and a law degree from the University of Florida. Paul’s skills as a trial lawyer caught the attention of the federal judges he appeared before in Tampa, who saw in that young lawyer competencies needed on the bench. Paul devoted 40 years of his professional life in service as a federal judicial officer, first for 10 years as a United States Commissioner (appointed when he was only 31), then 20 years as a United States Magistrate Judge, and finally 10 years during which he was called out of retirement several times to serve in courts around the country. Meanwhile, Paul was the consummate churchman, serving on the vestry at St. John’s Episcopal in Tampa, on the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Southwest Florida, as the Diocesan Ecumenical Officer, and numerous times as a Deputy to the General Convention of The Episcopal Church. While serving the diocese, Paul spearheaded the development of Dayspring Episcopal Conference Center south of Tampa, serving as its first board chair. Paul also served several terms on the Standing Committee on Ecumenical Relations of The Episcopal Church, whose work resulted in full communion between The Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Paul was well known as the “judge in prison,” his faith drawing him to provide hope for the incarcerated through his many years of leadership in Kairos prison ministry. An accomplished sailor, Paul crewed and skippered in many notable races, including the Tampa-Havana and many SORC campaigns, and aboard The Fairweather, a division winner of the 1951 Transpac. Paul was most blessed to share the adventures and joys of life with his beloved wife of 45 years, Winkie, who passed away in June of 2024. A pillar of the church and community in her own right, Winkie shared Paul’s love of family, church, Kairos, Cursillo, and Discovery Weekend. They even named their sailboat Kairos, an apt blending of their passions. Together they traveled the world and included family as part of their adventures. Paul was a long-time member of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, The Tampa Yacht and Country Club, and The Merrymakers Club. Paul is preceded in death by his wife, Winkie, his parents, his sister Mary Ellen Jones, and his daughter Pamela Game. He is survived by his sons Richard (Anne) Game, Grantland (Nancy) King, McGregor (Kim) King, and grandchildren Phillip Game, Hope, Allison and Caroline Game, Elizabeth and James King, and Milo King. A service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Tampa at 2pm on Saturday, February 22, 2025, after which his ashes will be interred in the church’s Chapel of the Resurrection. The family will receive friends after the service at The Tampa Yacht and Country Club from 3:30-5pm. The family thanks Paul’s caregivers in Tampa, Maria Conanan and Jessica Macowsky, the staff at Harris House Personal Care Home in Roswell, Georgia, Agape Hospice, and Andi Rose of Metta Johnson & Associates. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church.