John Robert Mullins

John Robert Mullins, 49, of Navarre, Florida passed away in Tallahassee, Florida on May 6, 2017 after a long and courageous battle with heart disease and type I diabetes. A memorial service will be held at Culleys MeadowWood Funeral Home, 1737 Riggins Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32308 on Friday, May 12, 2017. Public visitation will begin at 1:30pm. The funeral service will begin at 2:30pm.

He was born to Bessie and Robert Mullins, on December 31, 1967 in Palatka, Florida and remained in Florida throughout his childhood years, before moving to Hood River, Oregon, and back to Florida where he lived in Navarre Beach. He travelled to many places, his favorite being Hawaii. He was a graduate of Hawthorne High School in Hawthorne, Florida, class of 1986. He was an avid Gator fan, loving all things football, and collected an extensive assortment of memorabilia to commemorate the coaches, the football players and the games. He loved listening to good classic rock and country music, and he played it in the background as he got ready for the day, drove to work, or as he cooked dinner, for most of his life. His favorite musicians include Elvis Presley, Tom Petty, Elton John, and Garth Brooks. He was devoted to his children and loved them beyond measure, making it a point to teach them both the benefits of persistence, problem solving, and keeping the faith when there isn’t an attainable solution. He worked with his hands; he was a teacher to many, including teaching Kyle everything there was to know about cars and fixing things. He approached every challenge with grace and had a mindset that everything could be fixed with a little effort. He was up to date with all things technological, he was a great speaker and he had a very inviting and charismatic personality. He had a dry sense of humor that was friendly and inviting to all, but beneath his humor, he had a vulnerable heart of gold. Despite constant pain, he managed to hide his discomfort, focusing instead on the work that had to be done, the immediate needs of others and maintaining his many relationships with family and friends. He was available without question in an instant, ready to help in any situation. He was immensely proud of his children, Kyle for his intellect, music and his drive, and Kristin for her “smarts” and ambition to brighten the world. He will be remembered as the best daddy in the world, and his children look forward to raising their future children with the same spirit and love that was generously shared with them.

He is preceded in death by his father, Robert Roscoe Mullins, his stepfather, Daniel Patrick Henry, his brother, Jerry Gene Mullins and his sister, Patricia Faye Sansbury. He is survived by his loving children, Kristin Mercedes Mullins of Tallahassee, Florida and Aaron Kyle Mullins of Asheville, North Carolina, his mother Bessie Mullins Henry of Navarre, Florida, his sister, Nola Mullins Ward of Navarre, Florida, his sister Penny Wynne of Fort Walton Beach, Florida as well as many special nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and many incredible friends, who felt more like family.

His compassion for friends, family and strangers was unmatched, and he loved everyone without judgment. His consistent ability to overcome adversity was inspiring to those who knew him and his strength gave continuing hope to others in the struggles of this world. We are convinced that he ran through the pearly gates to meet his heavenly father, no longer burdened by the wheelchair and cane that he needed before. His suffering is no more and his cup is overflowing. He is now with our Lord, and he is with us for each and every coming day.