Gary Ernest Mullins
December 9, 1938 - June 17, 2015
Gary E. Mullins was born December 9, 1938, in Twin Falls, Idaho, the oldest child of Ernest and Dorothy Mullins. Gary attended high school in Hagerman and American Falls, Idaho. He enrolled briefly at Idaho State University, then enlisted in the regular Army in January of 1959.
After a tour in Germany, he was selected to serve in the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment, "The Old Guard", in Washington D.C. serving President John F. Kennedy at the White House. After a deployment to Laos, during the Vietnam War, he left the Army and re-enrolled at Idaho State University. He graduated from ISU with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1967. After graduation, he worked for Boise City Recreation Department as the Assistant Director and later became the Director of the department. He was very proud of his contributions to the city of Boise, namely the Natatorium Hydrotube, which he built for the city using private funding, and developing the City Recreation Ski School program at Bogus Basin.
After leaving the Recreation Department, he reenlisted with the 321st Engineer Battalion, United States Army Reserve, serving as the First Sergeant and the Unit Administrator for Company A. He was especially proud of the NCO Corps. He was credited for fostering an environment that grew many young Soldiers into dynamic leaders. Many of those he guided later became the future First Sergeants, Sergeant Majors and Command Sergeant Majors for the Battalion. He culminated his 32 year military career as a Sergeant Major, the pinnacle enlisted rank.
After his retirement, he made several attempts to volunteer for the US Army, but was told he was too old. He finally settled in the mountain town of Yellow Pine, Idaho. He dearly loved Yellow Pine and all of his neighbors and friends there, "Even the Democrats." His greatest love was for his two children, John and Jennifer, his three grandchildren Conrad, Taylor and Cicely, his dear sister, Joan Mullins, and his beloved dogs over the years, Molly, Polly and Dolly. "Sarge" died at his home in Yellow Pine, surrounded by his family, on June 17, 2015.
Funeral services will be held at the Idaho State Veteran's Cemetery, Boise, Idaho, with full military honors, Tuesday, June 30, 2015 at 10:30 am. There will be a gathering at the 44 Club, 4340 W. State Street, following the funeral. A Memorial Party will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2015 at 1600 hours, at The Corner Bar, Yellow Pine, Idaho. In lieu of flowers, Gary had asked that donations be made to the Kif Brown Foundation.
www.thekifbrownfoundation.comCondolences may be left at www.flahifffuneralchapel.com
Published in Idaho Statesman on June 27, 2015
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