Paul Pressler, a former leader in the Southern Baptist Convention and once a judge in Houston, passed away on June 7 at the age of 94. His role in the conservative resurgence of the Southern Baptist Convention made him a pivotal figure in guiding the convention's stances on issues like homosexuality and abortion. According to Houston Chronicle, Pressler's funeral was attended by about 70 people at the Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Home in the proximity of Tanglewood.

Not long before his death, Pressler confidentially settled a lawsuit accusing him of sexual abuse. Duane Rollins, the original accuser from Houston, initiated legal proceedings, claiming abuse during his time in Pressler's youth group. Seven other men had come forward with intentions to testify had the case gone to trial, as reported by The Texas Tribune. The scandal loomed large, yet Pressler's passing was subtly marked, with little public comment during the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting which occurred shortly after his death.

Throughout his career, Pressler held various influential positions. He was a 133rd Judicial District judge in Harris County from 1970 until 1978 and later served on the Texas 14th Circuit Court of Appeals, as detailed by Houston Chronicle. Officer, Pressler was also a key member of Council For National Policy, a group fostering conservative Christian influence in public life and politics.

The allegations against Pressler, however, cast a shadow on his legacy. The lawsuit filed in 2017 outlined recurrent abuse by Pressler and prompted a Houston Chronicle investigation. This report unearthed further victims and contributed to significant reforms within the Southern Baptist Convention. The Texas Tribune pointed out that the abuse claims lead to the creation of a database identifying nearly 300 accused church leaders and propelled an ongoing Department of Justice investigation into the denomination's management of sex abuse complaints.

In his later years, Pressler remained actively engaged in Republican politics and was a staunch supporter of GOP candidates and causes. He played a significant role in shaping evangelical support for the party, as noted by The Texas Tribune. Yet, with these political achievements now coupled with the scandalous revelations, Paul Pressler's death brings a complex and controversial chapter in Southern Baptist history to a close.