Kurian Parayil

Kurian Oommen Parayil, 85, husband, father, and grandfather, was called home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, surrounded by his wife, children, and grandchildren, on Friday, January 9th, 2026.  

He is survived by his loving wife Aleyamma Venneapara George Parayil of 57 years; two daughters: Liz and her husband Ken of Des Moines, Iowa, Betsy and her husband Patrick of Paris, France; and six grandchildren: Andrew, Jordan, Kendall, Faith, Kai, and Rose.  

“Thankachayan” as he was affectionately known, was the youngest of seven children born to Parayil Kurian Oommen and Mariamma Oommen Parayil on June 5th, 1940 in Kallissery, Dist. Chengannur, Kerala, India. He was lovingly called “Dad,” “Grandpa,” and “Appachan” by his children and grandchildren.

He dedicated his life to serving the Lord through ministry from a young age and up until hecould no longer study or teach. For his family, he will also be fondly remembered for his quick wit, puns, his affectionate teasing of his entourage, and love of apple pie à la mode and specialty jams.

Education

Kurian Parayil maintained a profound commitment to the value of education and the pursuit of knowledge. After completing his high school education around the age of 15 in Kallissery, he went on to complete his undergraduate work in 1960 and graduate work in 1963 at the University of Bombay, India. In 1966, he continued with a degree in Theology from Moorlands College in Devon, England. Upon his arrival to the United States in 1967, hosted by the Stegman family, he completed a non-degree program in Speech at Seattle Pacific University. He earned his M.B.A. from Wayne State University in 1971.

Ministry

Sharing the Word of God and the love of Christ was the primary mission of Kurian’s life. He dedicated significant time to teaching, preaching, and ministering everywhere he went. Kurian will be remembered for his diligent study of the Word and a commitment to discipling anyone who wanted to learn about the gospel and Scripture. This commitment never wavered even towards the end of his life.

Upon moving to the Twin Cities metropolitan area in Minnesota in 1970, Kurian and Alice first joined Northeast Bible Chapel, living above the Osbecks’ Clock Shop. They moved to Moundsview, Minnesota in 1971 and joined Sunnyside Bible Chapel where Kurian became an elder.

In 1987, Kurian and Alice came together with several other families to found Believer’s Bible Chapel. He became an elder along with Jim Upton and Art Redling. The assembly met for three years at the McGuire’s Inn in Roseville, Minnesota before acquiring a building in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. 17 years later, following the passing of Art Redling, Chuck Rivers joined as an elder in shepherding the church and served with Kurian. When Kurian retired from his professional career in 2009, Believer’s Bible Chapel commended him for preaching, teaching, and ministering to the many churches that he would visit over the next two decades throughout the United States, India, and Canada. He was particularly active as a guest minister in Minnesota and Florida. At the end of his life, he was a faithful member worshiping at Boca Bible Chapel in Boca Raton, Florida.

Professional Life

Kurian embodied his spiritual principles while conducting financial stewardship and organizational development, bringing both analytical expertise and genuine care for people to every role he undertook. After earning his MBA, he served as Dean of Education at Globe Business College before joining Northwestern College (now University of Northwestern, St. Paul) in 1972. Over seventeen years at Northwestern, Kurian advanced from Assistant Professor of Business and Economics to Senior Vice President of Institutional Advancement, demonstrating exceptional leadership across academic and administrative domains. His work in development and planned giving became his particular passion, and in 1976 he founded Developing Futures, Inc. and Diversified Financial Services, financial planning practices he led for decades, helping countless individuals and families navigate charitable giving, estate planning, and long-term financial security. One of his clients wrote in 1996: “Although he has many good qualities, the ones that stand out and are important to me include his servant spirit, his integrity and reliability, his training and experience and his straightforward common sense approach to problems.” His professional life was characterized by a rare combination of financial acumen and genuine commitment to service, always seeking to use his expertise not merely for profit but to help others build meaningful legacies and secure their futures with dignity.

Familial Life

Kurian adored his family. The first of their families to become residents of the United States, Alice and Kurian supported family members as they immigrated to the United States and stayed connected to his family in India.  Born into a large family, he was close with all of his siblings. His brother, Babu P. Oommen, now in Sudbury, Canada, Kurian visited frequently and his late sister Ammini Chacko made her home in Minnesota. When he was a college student he lived with his eldest brother the late P. O. George in Bombay. When he went back to his hometown in Kallissery he would visit his brothers the late P. O. John and P. O. Abraham and late sister Kunjamamma Philip.  Kurian immigrated to the United States in 1967, followed by Alice. They were married in Detroit, Michigan in November 1968, shortly after her arrival. They celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary on November 21st, 2025. Liz was born November 29th, 1970 in Detroit, Michigan, and Betsy on January 23rd, 1977 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They lived in the Twin Cities, Minnesota metropolitan area for about 50 years before finally relocating to Boca Raton, Florida.

Services and Memorial Information

Wake Thursday, January 15th at 6:00 PM - Glick Family Funeral Home
3600 North Federal Highway - Boca Raton, Florida - 33431   - Livestream

Viewing and Funeral Service Friday, January 16th 9:00 AM - Viewing 10:00 AM - Funeral
Service - First United Methodist Church Boca Raton
625 NE Mizner Blvd - Boca Raton, Florida - 33432 - Livestream

Burial 1:00 PM Boca Raton Cemetery
451 SW 4th Ave - Boca Raton, Florida - 33432

Reception Following the burial Wyndham Boca Raton / The Farmer’s Table
1901 N Military Trail - Boca Raton, Florida - 33431

A livestream link will be posted prior to the service.

Flowers may be sent to Glick Family Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the "Kurian Parayil Memorial Fund" at Gospel Mission of India: www.gospelmi.org

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