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BORN
1953
DIED
2018
Gary Mullen Obituary
Gary Mullen
1953 - 2018
Gary Mullen passed away on August 21, 2018 surrounded by his loved ones. He was loved, missed, and will forever be cherished. Gary's journey began on August 12, 1953 on the Pepperrell Air Force Base in New Foundland, Canada. His parents, Charles and Kathryn Mullen, and his oldest brother, Robert, precede Gary in death. His older brothers, Kris and Richard, are alive. At the age of 5 his family moved to Minot, North Dakota where he attended Bishop Ryan Catholic High School. He continued his education and graduated from Minot State University with a degree in education. Gary continued his love and dedication for educating the youth, by becoming a teacher, principal, and eventually retired as the Superintendent of Lakeside Union School District.
Gary had 4 children that he was extremely proud of. In 1979, his first child, Heather was born in Gooding, Idaho. Exactly 2 years later his daughter, Nikol, was born in Grand Forks, North Dakota followed by his son Erik Mullen in 1988. He moved to Bakersfield, California in 1990 where he met the love of his life, Melissa Mullen. In 1995 they married and later had their daughter Khloe. Later in life he became the proud papa of 10 grandchildren, Levi, Dakota, Zaley, Tatum, Maelana, Jonah, Claire, Jude, Kason, and Dawson.
Gary positively impacted every person that got the pleasure of knowing his sweet, kind, and crazy strong soul. Over 6 years ago Gary was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. The doctors gave him only 2 years to live, but through his strength and resilience he surpassed his life expectancy by many years. His positivity in the face of trials was admirable, not ever letting a day go by without focusing on his blessings and smiling through the pain. He was our living, breathing, walking example of a miracle. Although we were not ready to say goodbye, he will always be with us in our hearts, our family traditions, and his remarkable legacy he left behind.
We will be celebrating his life in true Gary fashion. NO BLACK ATTIRE. He always made it clear that at his funeral he wanted us to celebrate his life. Please join us (wearing bright colors) on August 31st at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. There will be a Rosary at 1:30, followed by a Memorial Service at 2:00 p.m. A reception will be held following the service at the home of Art and Ruby Chavez at 7451 Meadows of the Kern Dr.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gary Mullen
5 Entries
Dan Roggenbuck
November 16, 2018
I just saw Gary's name posted among the "In Memory" graduates list of the Minot State University Alumni Association publication, "Connections".
Gary and I were neighborhood friends in Minot, ND during our junior high school years. We were the same age and attended the same church. Unfortunately, we attended different high schools and lost track of each other as the years passed.
But I thought of Gary often through the years. He was such a good friend during that brief time in our youth. He was happy, easy-going, a solid leader and good follower. We spent summertime target shooting with BB guns (his mom even let us have a small range in her basement), we camped out in his backyard, played baseball, rode bike and talked of the future. We shared a curiosity about the world.
I'm glad Gary had the opportunity to live such a fulfilling life. I wish we had remained connected throughout.
My sincere condolences to Gary's family.
September 7, 2018
Very sorry for your loss and grief; may the promise at John 6:40 give you comfort and peace.
Julia Newbold
August 30, 2018
I worked under Gary as he was a principal at Suburu Elementary and as he later served as superintendent of the Lakeside School District. He was a great leader and always positive. He helped me become confident as a teacher.He had a great sense of humor.I especially remember his stories of sliding down the snow banks during school in North Dakota. I will miss his smiling face and the many good memories I have of our days at Suburu. My prayers and love go to his family.
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