Paul E. Weathers, 67, an Alikchi of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, family physician, and emergency medicine director, who dedicated his life to caring others across Oklahoma for more than 30 years, passed Friday, October 18, 2024, of heart failure in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with his family by his side.
Dr. Weathers dedicated most of his medical career in emergency medicine where he thrived in the fast-paced environment and was known for his calm demeanor and excellent bedside manner.

Dr. Weathers was born August 1, 1957, in Oakdale, California, to Melvin and Syble Weathers. As a young man, he was active in baseball, basketball, and football; later being named to an All-District football team. He graduated from Antlers High School in 1975. He accepted a scholarship to play football at the University of Texas in Austin before returning home to Oklahoma to focus on his goal of a career in medicine.
In 1980, Dr. Weathers graduated from Murray State College in Tishomingo with an associate degree in Nursing. In 1981, he attended South Oklahoma City Junior College where he earned an associate degree as an Emergency Medical Technician / Paramedic. He joined the Army National Guard in 1981. In 1990, Dr. Weathers graduated from Oklahoma State University's College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Dr. Weathers began his emergency medicine career as an emergency room RN at McAlester Regional Hospital in McAlester, Oklahoma, McCurtain Memorial Hospital in Idabel, Oklahoma and Presbyterian Hospital in Oklahoma City. After graduating as a paramedic, he served as a police officer and paramedic for the City of Norman Police Department and Valley View Hospital in Ada, Oklahoma. As a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, he interned at Hillcrest Osteopathic Hospital in Oklahoma City and went on to serve as a physician at the Choctaw Nation Health Clinic in Broken Bow, Oklahoma and the Cherokee Nation Health Clinic in Salina, Oklahoma. He later completed an Emergency Medicine residency at Hillcrest Osteopathic Hospital.

During his career, he served as the Medical Director for the Choctaw Nation Health Clinic in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, Salina Community Clinic, Cherokee Nation Emergency Management Service and Cherokee Nation Health System. He also served as Emergency Department Medical Director at Edmond Medical Center in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Dr. Weathers opened a private practice in 2011 serving Tishomingo, Johnston County and surrounding counties, later expanding to Calera, Oklahoma. Well known for his patience with both young and old, Dr. Weathers was well-loved by patients for his signature kind smile and calming voice. He had a heart of gold and could never turn down anyone in need, often meeting patients after hours at his clinic or on house calls. He was known to use the barter system when patients could not afford medical care. Patients commented that he made them feel like they were the most important part of his day.

Family was of utmost importance to him. He retired in 2021, moving to Tulsa, Oklahoma and devoted his free time to his children and grandchildren. He attended church at Simple Church Tulsa with his family and had a true belief and was grateful for all the many blessings in his life.

During his esteemed career, Dr. Weathers was named National Native American Emergency Management Service Physician of the Year in 1995, National Native American Emergency Management Member of the Year in 1997, and named to Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare. He was a member of the American Osteopathic Association, American College of Osteopathic Physicians, Oklahoma Osteopathic Association, Oklahoma Medical Association, and the Oklahoma State Trauma Advisory Council.

Dr. Weathers married Teresa Decker Weathers in 2006. When not working, he enjoyed his family, home, and renovating Ford trucks from the 1950s.
Dr. Weathers is survived by his wife Teresa, daughter Sabre Weathers Rivas, son-in-law Andrew Rivas, daughter Leah Flint Harper, son-in-law Mike Harper, daughter-in-law Brenda Flint, and grandchildren Koa Rivas, Natalie Harper, and Olivia Harper.

He was preceded in death by father Melvin Weathers, mother Syble Smith Weathers, brother Chris Weathers and son Jacob Flint.

A visitation will be held at Serenity Funeral Service, 145 W. Main, Antlers, Oklahoma, on Thursday, October 24th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 pm.
Graveside services will be held at Finley Cemetery (North of Antlers on Hwy 271) on October 25th at 10:00 a.m. Family and friends are invited to stay for lunch provided by the Finley Community Center just a short walk from the cemetery.
Services are under the direction of Serenity Funeral Service in Antlers, Oklahoma.