Jerry Lynn Mullins

Services for Jerry Lynn Mullins, 82, of Tyler are scheduled for 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, April 28, 2015, at Bethel Baptist Church with Bro. Mike Ford officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in Williams Cemetery under the direction of Lloyd James Funeral Home.

Jerry passed away on Tuesday, April 21, 2015, in Tyler.

He was born on September 18, 1932 in Eufaula, Oklahoma, to the late Burrel and Mary Ann Mullins. Jerry was three when his family moved to Tulsa. He graduated high school in 1950. Jerry loved sports. He was a pitcher in high school and for American Legion Ball. He attended a St. Louis Cardinals tryout group in Joplin, Missouri, and was offered a $300 contract. Big money back then, and Jerry jumped on it.

Shortly after, he received a draft notice saying he was 1A and would be called to service within the next month. Jerry preferred to take the Air Force entrance exam, passed and was in for a four-year hitch. Bye-bye baseball. Jerry’s overseas tours included Yokota Air Base, Japan, 1954-55; and HQ European Security Region, Frankfurt, Germany. It was here he met and married the love of his life, Miss Dagmar Vogt, and they spent the next 53 years hand in hand. They had two children, Judy and Jerry Don.

He spent 1968-69 at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, with the 357th Tactical Recon Wing. His last duty station was Los Angeles AFB where he retired in 1975. He retired a highly decorated veteran and received a Bronze Star for his service in Thailand.

He was a faithful member of Bethel Baptist Church and served his Lord with a glad heart.

He leaves behind his wife, Dagmar; daughter Judy; son Jerry Don; grandchildren, Brandon Forbes, Nichole Longo, Bobby Jean and Jerry Wiley; sisters, Susan Newhall and Dianne Beidleman; great-grandchildren, Brandon Jr. and Kort.

He will be greatly missed, but he is home with Jesus and feasting at the riches of his table.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bethel Baptist Church, 13108 State Hwy. 64 E., Tyler, Texas 75707; or the Gideons International, P. O. Box 131993, Tyler, Texas 75713-1993.