Gary L. "Pop" Mullins

Gary L. Mullins “Pop”, at age 70, went home to be with his Creator and Redeemer on September 12, 2022.

Gary is survived by his wife of 51 years, Lucy (Wickard) Mullins, daughters Shelly Ritchie (Christopher), Kristin Blackberg (Jeremy); grandchildren Corey Ritchie, Sarah Ritchie, Lauren Ritchie and Morgan Blackberg; his great-grandson Colton Rutherford; special granddaughter in love, Marielis Villalobos; and sister, Nancy Horton (Michael).

On September 19, 1951, Gary was born to James and Geneva Mullins in Battle Creek, MI. Gary and his family moved to Orlando, FL when he was a teenager where he met and married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Lucy, in 1971. As newlyweds, they spent the first three years of their life in the Azores Islands where Gary was stationed while serving in the US Navy as a Radioman. They welcomed their first-born daughter, Shelly, while stationed in the Azores. After completing his service with the US Navy, they returned to Orlando, FL where they welcomed their second daughter, Kristin.

Gary spent the next 48 years dedicated to loving his family. Together with Lucy, they raised two daughters, welcomed two sons-in-law, that he loved as his own sons, followed by the elating addition of four grandchildren and one great grandson.

In 2005, he retired to Friendsville, TN with his wife. He and Lucy enjoyed 17 wonderful years exploring East Tennessee, and living life to the fullest by traveling, riding their motorcycle, and spending time with loved ones. He is remembered by his family and friends for his inability to control his contagious compulsion of telling jokes and his young-hearted need to make sure everyone around him was laughing or smiling. Gary never met a stranger and people truly loved talking with him and hearing his stories.

Gary LOVED his family immensely, only rivaled by his love for the Lord. He looked forward to spending time reading and learning from the Word of the God on a daily basis, and never missed an opportunity to share the hope of Christ with anyone he encountered.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to be made in Gary’s name to further share the gospel, to Smoky View Church, 2201 W. Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Maryville, TN 37801.

A receiving of friends and Celebration of Life for Gary Mullins will take place at Smoky View Church, 2201 W. Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Maryville, TN 37801, on Friday, October 7th at 10:30AM with a Military Ceremony to follow at the Knoxville National Cemetery located at 939 Tyson St, N.W., Knoxville, TN 37917 at 1:00 p.m.