Nitatohbi “Chris” Paulson, age 45, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, December 31, 2023, in Ardmore, Okla. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Friday, January 5, 2024, at The Chickasaw Nation Community Center in Ardmore, Okla. Private pre-burial will have taken place in Pontotoc Cemetery at Pontotoc, Okla. Services will be officiated by the Reverend Steven Skinner.

Chris was born in San Diego, California, on July 4, 1978, to John Paulson and Sandra (Jefferson) Paulson. After Sandra’s marriage ended, she married Paul Carrillo who raised him as his own. Chris graduated from South High School, Pueblo Colorado in 1999. He was active in raising disability awareness and Native American issues. He was the State Champion in Special Olympics Bowling, competed with a regular sanctioned bowling league and in Power Lifting for Special Olympics. Chris served as the Vice-president of Pueblo’s Peoples First. He represented the State of Colorado in Birmingham, New York, for the organization. He served on the Colorado Developmentally Disabilities Planning Counsel on the Advisory Board to Governor Roy Romer. Governor Romer appointed Chris as the Native American Ambassador representing the State of Colorado in Vienna, Austria. Chris was featured in Pueblo Colorado Magazine as a disabled person owning their own home. He loved going to Pow Wows and loved hearing the drum beat and the singing and every part of the festivities. Chris will be remembered for his impact on the people around him with his love and big smile for all who met him.

He was preceded in death by his father, Paul Carrillo, grandmother, Lorene (Harris) Cravatt Hudson, grandfather, Alphus Jefferson, uncle, Jim Jefferson, and aunt, Lois Davison-Anoatubby.

Chris is survived by his mother, Sandra Carrillo, aunts: Pat Johns and Arnetta Higgins, and uncles: Winston Jefferson, Mike Jefferson, Malcolm Jefferson and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

Those serving as Casket Bearers will be; Kaiden Jefferson, Colin Jefferson, Donald Johns, Este’-Chate Lewis, Marquise Jefferson and Benito Jefferson.

Honorary Casket bearers will be; Jay Carlson, Roman Skeet and Dominic Jefferson.