George Richard Mulligan

May 25, 1932- June 18, 2018

George Richard Mulligan was born the youngest of three brothers in Somerset, New Jersey on May 25,1932 to Thomas and Katherine Mulligan. He passed away unexpectedly Monday during his morning walk. He was a kind and generous man who loved being outdoors.

George was an athlete and scholar. He graduated from Bound Brook High School and was on the wrestling team. He took 2nd place at 132 lb. class in the State Championship his senior year. He went to Rutgers University and was an All-American Wrestler finishing 4th in the NCAA Championship in 1955 at the 155lb class. He also played on the 150lb Varsity football team as quarterback. After graduating from Rutgers with a Psychology Degree, George joined the US Navy as an officer and went on to be a pilot in Pensacola, Florida. While on weekend leave he visited Panama City Beach where he met his wife, Barbara Laird Welch. They were married on June 15, 1957 at St. Johns Catholic Church in Panama City, Fl.

George was an educator as well as a wrestling and football coach during his career. He taught at Bay High School in 1959-1961 as a geography teacher and started the first intramural wrestling team. Following that, he taught and coached at Middlesex High School in New Jersey.

In the blizzard of January 1970, his wife Barbara declared "George, we are moving back to Florida". With 4 young children and a dog they headed back to Panama City in June 1970. He received a master's degree in counseling from Troy State University. George was the guidance counselor and test administrator at Tom P. Haney Vocational Center for 22 years. He retired in 1992 and loved to explore creative pursuits and travel with Barbara until her death in 2010.

George was instrumental in helping high school wrestling in the Bay County area and as assistant coach at Bay High from 1975 to 1982. He was a mentor and friend to many. He was recognized as the "Father of Wrestling in Bay County" in September 2017 with the dedication of a memorial bench at Bay High School.

George was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Tom and Robert, and his wife, Barbara.

He is survived by sons Shaun Christian Mulligan (Wanda Gail Barnes) and Mark Patrick Mulligan (Tawn), daughters Ann Barbara Mulligan Segler (Randy) and Kay Colleen Mulligan Judah (Chris), grandchildren, Erin and Sarah Judah, Lilly and Olivia Mulligan, Bryce and Carson Segler, and great-grandsons John and Calvin Kershaw.

Visitation Forest Lawn 5-7 PM Friday. Mass of Christian Burial 10 AM Sat, St. Johns Catholic Church, Father Guillermo Arias, SG officiating. Entombment will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Bay High School wrestling program, 1200 Harrison Avenue, Panama City, FL 32401.


Kent-Forest Lawn
Funeral Home
2403 Harrison Ave.
Panama City, Fla. 32405
850-763-4694
www.kentforestlawn.com