Edward Francis MULLINS

MULLINS, Edward (Moon) Francis 85, passed away peacefully Thursday morning, July 7, 2016 in Phoenix. Moon left us to rejoin his life-long companion and wife, Arlene, in their next journey together. Moon was born in Northampton, Massachusetts on December 8, 1930 to John and Elizabeth (Lavine) Mullins and lived with his five brothers and sisters on a tobacco farm in Hatfield, Massachusetts. As the youngest of six, Moon was known for his playfulness, mischief, and sense of adventure--characteristics that would follow him throughout the rest of his life. The Mullins farm was literally next door to Arlene and she became his best friend and the love of his life. Moon joined the U.S. Air Force, earned his wings, and married Arlene soon after in 1954. Serving in the Air Force, Moon and Arlene traveled the world together making many loyal friends and raising a small but close-knit family. Moon flew several different fighter planes over the next 20 years in many parts of the world. His face always lit up when he talked about flying, although he never flew after retiring because "once you've flown a fighter jet, nothing else can compare". Moon spent a year in Thailand, flying reconnaissance missions over North Vietnam in the mid-sixties with his back-seater, Bill Holzknecht. Moon and Bill shared a mutual respect and trust. Together they completed a hundred missions over North Vietnam before safely returning to their families back home. After retirement Moon and Arlene opened Mullins Realty and successfully managed the business for the next 34 years, during which most of their clients became close friends. Moon was steadfastly devoted to Arlene and his children, Kevin (Elyse) and Karen, and his grandchildren, Shannon, Jackson, Ashley, and Lindsey. He is also survived by his sister, Eileen, and his many nieces and nephews, including Judy (Nic), Ken, Mark (Gwen), and Patty, to name just a few. Moon was a loving husband, a devoted father, a doting grandfather, a kind and supportive brother, a favorite uncle and a trusted friend. He was kind, fun-loving, loyal, and honest. We miss him dearly and will always carry him in our hearts. A Service will be held Sunday, July 17, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at East Lawn Palms Mortuary, 5801 East Grant Road, Tucson, AZ. An online tribute page can be found at: www.eastlawnpalmsmortuary.com under obituaries and services. In lieu of flowers we ask that donations be made to the University of Arizona Cancer Center, 1515 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson, AZ 85724-5024.