Dr. Gerald G. Mullikin's Obituary
Following a private graveside service, memorial services will be held for Dr. Gerald G. Mullikin, age 92 of Longview, at First Presbyterian Church, Kilgore on Thursday, March 6, 2014 at 2pm. The Reverend Scott Nowack will officiate and music will be provided by Lorenz Maycher, Organist, and Dr. William Holda, soloist. Dr. Mullikin passed away on March 2, 2014 in Longview. There will be a time of visitation Wednesday, March 5, 2014 from 3pm-7pm at Rader Funeral Home in Longview.
Born in Helena, Montana, on July 22, 1921, Dr. Mullikin was the only child of Arthur and Tillie Mullikin. He graduated from high school in Twin Falls, Idaho, and attended the University of Nebraska and the University of Minnesota. He relocated to Texas with the U.S. Army during World War II. He graduated from Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, Texas. He served an internship and a residency in anesthesiology at Baylor University Hospital in Dallas and served as a medical officer during the Korean War. During his medical education in Dallas, Dr. Mullikin was introduced to his landlord’s niece; Athalia Guggolz After a brief Courtship, the couple wed on March 12, 1945, and was married for 61 years prior to Athalia’s death in 2006.
After the war, Dr. and Mrs. Mullikin made their home in Dallas where he was a member of the staff at Baylor University Hospital. The family moved to Longview in 1966 as Dr. Mullikin joined the staff of the Good Shepherd Hospital, where he later served as President of Staff. He also served as President of the Texas Society of Anesthesiologist, from which he received the Distinguished Service Award; and was a long-time secretary of the American Society of Anesthesiologists. He served the City of Longview as a member of the Library Advisory Committee and was a driver for Meals on Wheels. Dr. Mullikin channeled his passion for classical music into years of volunteer service for the Longview Symphony and the Longview Opera. He was instrumental in the successes of the burgeoning arts organizations, serving on the Symphony Board of Directors for many years, in various roles that included Treasurer, Concert Manager and then President for four years. He later served on the Longview Symphony Foundation board from 1995-2005. He served as the first board president of the Longview Opera, now Opera East Texas. In 2001, he was inducted into the Longview Symphony Hall of Fame. He was a long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church in Kilgore, serving as a deacon and an elder.
He is survived by Randy and Vicky Mullikin of Fort Smith, AR; Ron and Sharlene Mullikin, Houston, TX; George and Cindy Mullikin; Doylestown, PA; and John and Amber Mullikin, Austin, TX. He is also survived by grandchildren Mary Mullikin, Little Rock, AR; Caitlyn and Cameron Mullikin, Houston, TX; Hannah and Garret Mullikin, Katy, TX; Mackenzie and Olivia Mullikin, Fort Smith, AR; Ella and Ben Mullikin, Doylestown, PA; and great-granddaughter, Ainsley Rheaume, Atlanta, GA.
Dr. Mullikin’s often solemn demeanor hid a caring heart filled with a deep, unwavering faith, a love of and loyalty to family and close friends, a passion for classical music, a fondness for chocolate and a voracious reading habit. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church Organ Fund, Kilgore, TX, and the Longview Symphony Foundation.
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