Milton Ray Mullican

Milton Ray Mullican, retired Fire Chief of the National Institutes of Health Fire Department and former Fire Chief of the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department passed into eternal life on February 12, 2025 under the care of the Ogeechee Area Hospice, Statesboro, Ga. Ray was born on September 8, 1925 in Montgomery County, Maryland and graduated from Richard Montgomery High School and Montgomery College, Rockville, Maryland. In 1943 at the age of 17, Ray joined the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department rising through the ranks to become Fire Chief and a member of the Board of Directors. He began his career with the National Institutes of Health Fire Department in 1953, again rising through the ranks to become Fire Chief in 1972. Chief Mullican retired in 1980. His first wife Elizabeth Anne Kohlenberg died in 1966, his second wife Helen Belle Barkdoll died in 1994 and his third wife Doris King Burdette died in 2009. Daughter Marianne Mullican (Larry) Aitcheson died in 2019 and his oldest son Michael Ray (Charlotte) Mullican died in 2020. Ray was the last survivor from a family of 13 brothers and sisters. Chief Mullican was a charter member of the Federal/Military Section, IAFC and served as Treasurer from its inception in May 1983 to August 1990. A member of the International Society of Fire Service Instructors, life member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, NARFE, AARP, AMVETS Post #2, Frederick, Maryland, Damascus American Legion Post 171, Damascus, Md, Damascus Travel Club and Saint Luke Luthern Church, Silver Springs, Maryland. During World War II he served in the US Navy in the South Pacific. Ray was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He is survived by his son Byron J Brodie (Susan) Mullican of Statesboro, Ga, grandchildren Elizabeth (Mark) Bruington of Jacksonville, Fl,, Kirk Riggs of Ashburn, Va, Elizabeth Anne (Dave) Garrison of Glen Allen, Va, Brett (Cindy) Mullican of Taneytown, Md. Grandson Keith Allen (Debby) Mullican passed away in 2020. Ray spent the last two plus years in the Willow Pond Senior Care, Statesboro, Ga, where he was the singer and jokester to any and all residents. A memorial service will be held at a later date and internment will be at the Parklawn Memorial Cemetary, Rockville, Maryland. Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com. Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home & Crematory in Statesboro is in charge of arrangements.