Mark Christopher Mueller

MARK CHRISTOPHER MUELLER, age 75, a native Dallasite, passed away on Tuesday, August 18, 2020. He displayed an ability during his lifetime to conform to unforeseen and changing circumstances, and tended to take his work seriously, but himself not very seriously. He was born June 19, 1945, at St. Paul Hospital, Dallas, the only child of Herman August Mueller and Hazel Dean Hatzenbuehler Mueller, both native Dallasites.

Herman Mueller’s family included his paternal grandfather, August Mueller, who came to Texas shortly after The War Between The States and engaged in the occupation of a building contractor, cabinetmaker, and organ builder. August Mueller had previously worked in the churches and cathedrals of Europe and had served as a guard in the Vatican. Later in life, August Mueller operated The Blue Front Saloon in downtown Dallas, which became a German food restaurant.

Herman Mueller’s maternal grandfather was Christian Moser, who came to Dallas in approximately 1870 and engaged in the dairy business, as well as real estate development with his wife Anna. Christian Moser married Anna Buehrer whose family had come to Dallas and established a dairy where White Rock Lake is located. Together they had six children, including Herman’s mother, Frieda.

Mark’s mother Hazel (one of eleven children) was a descendant of T. C. Hawpe, who served two terms as sheriff of Dallas County and in the Confederate Army as a colonel. Hazel’s father was George Washington Hatzenbuehler, Sr., whose family had come to Dallas after The War Between The States and engaged in farming activities, as well as being a Teamster for the Railway Express.

Mark was fortunate enough to have been able to attend Lakewood Elementary School, J.L. Long Junior High School and Woodrow Wilson High School. He obtained admission to Southern Methodist University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, a Masters of Business Administration in Accounting, and a Juris Doctorate degree. While in school, Mark was able to pass the CPA exam on the first try and somewhat distinguished himself in academic performance in law school, receiving the Order of the Coif and ranked 5th in a class of 130. While in law school, Mark served as leading articles editor on what became the SMU Law Review and as an instructor in legal writing and research.

Upon graduation, the economy was in a certain amount of distress, so Mark proceeded to work with L. Vance Stanton for one year as an attorney and later went into solo practice in association with attorneys Tom A. Boardman and Paul Don Wilmarth, and was a member of “The Three Musketeers.”

Over his protests, Mark was called back to SMU Law to serve as an adjunct professor to fill a need in the faculty. He practiced the general practice of law related to real estate and business transactions for a period of approximately forty-plus years. He was gratified to receive the AV rating from Martindale Hubbell and to be included in Who’s Who in America – General Edition and Law Edition. He understood that he was included in U.S. News and World Report of Attorneys.

Mark engaged in a number of civic activities, including his college fraternity of Sigma Chi where he served in a variety of functions and offices, both undergraduate and alumni. He further served as a Lodge Officer of his Masonic Lodge, Hillcrest No. 1318, and as Worshipful Master in 1981-82. He affiliated with his ancestral lodge, Tannehill Lodge No. 52, where his great grandfather August, and great great grandfather T.C., had been members and officers and served as an affiliated Past Master. He attempted to perform whatever duties the Lodges requested of him. He was appointed 17th Degree Master at Scottish Rite in Dallas and served in that position for thirty years. He received the 32 degree Knight Commander Court of Honor from Scottish Rite in 1991 as well as 50 years of service award and various other honors from Masonic lodges. Mark had been a member of the Grotto and York Rite bodies.

Mark joined and served in the Sons of Republic of Texas and was the Chapter President of Thomas J. Rusk Chapter. He later joined the Sons of Confederate Veterans and twice served as Camp Commander of Gaston Gregg Camp. He was one of the founding member of the Lone Star Camp and Texas/Oklahoma for the Sons of Union Veterans in North Texas, but did not pursue further activity. Mark additionally joined the Sons of the American Revolution, Plano chapter but was not able to find time to contribute significantly to the organization. To further his historical organizations he was a member of Dallas Historical Society and Military Order of Stars and Bars.

Mark, in addition to other Bar activities, served a number of years in the State Bar on the Unauthorized Practice of Law Subcommittee handling assigned matters relating to consumer protection by the State Bar. At the time, his activities resulted in the largest recovery of improper legal fees by the Committee.

Mark joined and served in various positions in the Dallas County Pioneer Association.

He also was a life member of the Dallas Safari Club and Dallas Arms Collectors Association, a defender member of the Texas State Rifle Association, a benefactor member of the National Rifle Association, and enjoyed hunting when he could find the time to do so. He was a life member of Rock Creek Barbeque.

Mark was a lifetime member of East Dallas Christian Church almost from birth.

Mark married Linda Jane Reed Mueller, native of Massachusetts, and they have one child, Amy Lynn Mueller of Dallas.

He was an initiator of a joint family reunion of the Moser, Buhrer, Hatzenbuehler families that drew attendance by several hundred cousins.

Throughout his life he exhibited a humble attitude and was seriously concerned about the welfare of his fellow man and unconcerned about who received credit for his efforts.