Morton Mullins

Mullins, Morton Leland

On December 25, 1934, Edna Moore Mullins and Everett Brant Mullins received a very special Christmas gift, their only son Morton Leland Mullins. Mort passed away Monday, February 3, 2025 surrounded by many of his loving family as he would have wanted. He had just celebrated his ninetieth birthday a few weeks prior. On July 20, 1982, he married Leanna Harris Rees, and they brought together a wonderful, loving, blended family. The children include: Kathleen Alzos (h. Bill), David Mullins (w. Jan), Dennis Mullins (w. Sharon), Paige Gillespie (h. Terry), David Rees (w. Jill), Dale Mullins, and Jennifer Chaltain. This active group gave Mort seventeen grandchildren, and numerous great grandchildren. Mort dearly loved his family and was so proud of each and every one of them. Mort studied at the Missouri School of Mines, Rolla, receiving his Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering. After graduating, he received his Professional Engineering License in Tennessee and Missouri. In 1982, he continued his education at the Wharton School's Executive Training. After spending several years in the US Army, Mort began his career with the Monsanto Company in St. Louis in 1960. He spent time at Mound Laboratories in Dayton in the late 1970s with a focus on current environmental and military issues. In 1991, he retired from Monsanto and moved to Washington, DC to continue his passion for environmental advocacy as he joined the Chemical Manufacturers Association (CMA). He retired as Vice President of CMA in 2000. He was a registered lobbyist for the Chemical Industry, and, in 2018, did a speaking tour of South America promoting safety regulations for the industry. Upon retirement, Mort and Leanna relocated to the Northern Neck of Virginia on the Chesapeake Bay. The Bay is all consuming and Mort discovered the US Coast Guard Auxiliary Association. For years he was active in all their activities, moving happily through all ranks. His favorite contribution was teaching Seamanship to all ages, especially to teenagers. Later, when spending their winters in North Palm, Florida, after a deadly sea accident involving teenage boys, Mort organized, funded, and conducted free classes on Seamanship for all interested teens in the area with great success. As they moved about, Mort stayed involved in the Coast Guard AUX groups in both Cincinnati and Washington, DC. Morts favorite activities were boating, flying his little Cessna, snow skiing, tennis, and…a little golf, under duress. He was also a long-distance runner when younger. If there was a favorite activity, it had to be boating. He spent hours debating boats and boating with his oldest and dearest friend, Norm Heller, two self-proclaimed "herd of nerds". His biggest boating adventure was traveling the inner-coastal from Virginia to the Keys one winter. "Only towed twice" he later reported! Leanna and Mort loved to travel and explore. No destination was too out of the way or boring. They went there regardless. Their favorite city was Cape Town, South Africa. Mort will be sorely missed by all who loved him and knew him as the gentle man he was. The family will hold a private Celebration of Life later this month. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the US Coast Guard Auxiliary at www.cgauxa.org/donate or to the Butler Philharmonic Orchestra at www.butlerphil.org/support. www.charlesyoungfuneralhome.com