Lewis Olen Mullin

Lewis Olen Mullin, 92, passed away peacefully on February 11, 2025, at his home in Mission Viejo, CA. He was born in Ponca City, OK, on July 20, 1932, the youngest son of William Daniel and Agnes Missie (Jones) Mullin. His family moved to Hawthorne, CA, when he was a young boy.

Lewis served his country honorably in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from November 1952 to November 1954. He attended US Army Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia, a physically demanding course that trained him to conduct military parachute operations. In October 1953, he also completed Special Forces training with the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, NC, specializing in Explosives and Ordnance Training.

While on leave from his service, his best friend, Kenneth Taylor, introduced him to his sweetheart of 70+ years. He was immediately smitten and left the military at the end of his full-time commitment to begin his life with her. He married Lois Rae Williams on May 1, 1955. Together, they embraced their faith and were sealed for time and all eternity in the Los Angeles Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on May 1, 1965. They were blessed with three children: Lori (Larry) Gregson, Layne (Kimberly) Mullin, and Leigh Hrabik.

Throughout his life, Lew worked in various roles in the food industry. His first jobs were at home helping his parents on their farm. He began working stocking shelves and bagging groceries at Fitzsimmons Market in Los Angeles, CA before entering the service when he was 20. After the Korean War he worked for 25 years with the Thriftimart organization, working in both their retail and wholesale operations. He was promoted through the ranks of Clerk, Assistant Manager, Store Manager and Retail Superintendent. He joined Alfred M. Lewis Wholesale on January 5, 1976, as Director of Marketing and Operational Systems, being hired to fulfill a new position created specifically for his skills of providing staff direction and support for their warehouses. Benefitted by his dedication, they were purchased by Price Co. in 1988, which later became known as Costco. He retired from his career, however remained a consultant in the industry for many years thereafter.

Lew was an athlete his entire life and continued playing and coaching Palmia’s softball and volleyball teams well into his late 80s. Lew will be remembered as a dedicated husband, father, and servant of his faith whose warmth and perseverance touched the lives of all who knew him. He loved teaching Seminary for 14 years with high school aged youth and later Primary classes with younger children. He especially loved applying his life experiences to gospel principles. Many students, including his grandchildren, learned valuable life lessons during these classes. He will always be remembered for his “Round Tuits” and “I-Cans”.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel and Agnes Mullin, his brother R.L. Mullin, his sisters Dorislee Mullin and Phillestan Valko, as well as his beloved best friends Kenneth and JoAnn Taylor, who introduced him to his sweetheart Lois. His living legacy includes 3 children, 11 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren with two more great-grandchildren joining his family later this year.

Internment will be at Riverside National Cemetery. A tribute to his life will follow afterwards at the Altisima Building of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 29441 Altisima, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688 at 1:00pm.