Carl Mueller

Carl Mueller, a cherished husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, passed away on February 10, 2025, in Kempner, Texas, at the age of 76. He was born on March 29, 1948, in St. Louis, Missouri.

Carl entered the computer industry between the inventions of the integrated circuit and the floppy disk. He dedicated much of his life to the computer industry, beginning in the Marine Corps where he briefly worked with Grace Hopper, the woman who invented the COBOL language, and then in the private sector for companies such as Brown Shoe, Cincom Systems, Motorola, Siemens, and In-flight Phone. For a time he owned and operated his own company, Software Engineering Technologies. His professional journey culminated in academia, where he took great pride in sharing his knowledge as an instructor at the University Level at the Illinois Institute of Technology, Texas State University, and Texas A&M University, Central Texas.

An accomplished scholar, Carl held a Bachelor’s Degree from Washington University, along with both a Masters and a PhD from the Illinois Institute of Technology. His academic pursuits were matched by his commitment to service, exemplified by his military service as a Vietnam-era veteran in the United States Marine Corps, where he also served in the Marine Corps Reserve. Carl was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and received a Meritorious Mast for going above and beyond the call of duty..

Carl always found ways to be in service to others and took pride in that work. In his childhood, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout and was a member of Demolay. He continued to be active in the Masonic community in adulthood, carrying on a cherished legacy through his involvement in the Masonic Lodge and the Order of the Eastern Star. He served as Board Chairman of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls.

Carl's personality shone through his dedication, generosity, and sense of humor. He was a passionate protector of those he loved and had a knack for playful pranks, bringing laughter into the lives of those around him. Profoundly generous, he preferred to give anonymously. No one will ever truly know how much he did to help others. He loved exploring the world. Sometimes the world came to him through the international cast of colleagues in the pioneering days of the computer industry and at other times traveling with his wife to places like Disney World, Ireland, and Turkey. He enjoyed hobbies such as target shooting and homesteading, where he took pleasure in caring for horses, alpacas, and chickens.

Carl nurtured a profound pride in his family, who were his most notable achievements He is survived by his beloved wife, Dianne; children: Heather Harlan, Eileen Fredette (Jason), and Lisa Jorstad (Jesse); grandchildren: Cassandra, Jenna, Jason, Julianna, Annabella, Andrew, Nicholas, and Alexander; and three great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind his sister, Susanne Wichern (Richard), along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Carl S. Mueller Jr., and his mother, Doris R. Mueller.

A visitation will be held on February 14, 2025, at the Sneed Carnley Funeral Home in Copperas Cove, Texas, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Carl will be laid to rest on February 25, 2025, at 10:00 AM in Killeen, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, Scottish Rite for Children, or Wounded Warriors Project. 

Carl Mueller will be deeply missed by all who knew him, but his legacy of love and service will continue to inspire generations to come.