John Peter Mullen

He was born on February 23, 1939, to Patrick Joseph Mullen and Dorothy Hagerty Mullen in Quincy, Massachusetts. In 1942, due to his mother’s health, Jack, his parents, and his older sister, Patricia, moved to Phoenix, Arizona. They traveled across the country on a troop train, arriving in December 1942.

Jack cherished his childhood in Phoenix and began working for his father at Turf Paradise/Arizona Downs horse track while still in high school. He married Elizabeth “Betsy” Lewis, and together they had four children: Jacqueline McKeeta, Thomas Mullen, Kelley Mulvey (Kevin), and Timothy Mullen. Although Jack and Betsy divorced, he later married Mary Morrison.

During his tenure at Turf Paradise/Arizona Downs, Jack rose to the position of Pari-Mutuel Manager, a role he held for many years. In the summers, when the horse track was closed, Jack managed Pueblo Greyhound Park in Colorado and oversaw horse races at county fairs across the state.

Jack’s passions extended beyond his professional life. He had a lifelong fascination with airplanes, particularly WWI and WWII vintage models. Combining his love for planes and cooking, he opened The Red Baron, a steak and lobster restaurant that became a local favorite. The restaurant’s walls were adorned with model airplanes and vintage aviation photographs he had collected over the years.

Jack is predeceased by his parents, his wives Betsy and Mary, his son-in-law Richard McKeeta, and his sister Ann “Rooney” Barker. He is survived by his four children, six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and his sisters Patricia Mullen, Jane Coady, and Colleen Everroad.

A private service has been held by the family. They extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Fletcher Farms Assisted Living and Choice Hospice for the compassionate care they provided to Jack. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to either organization in Jack’s memory.