Martin Grier Mullin passed from this life on to his eternal home on May 18, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. Martin was born on October 5, 1966 to his parents, James Mullin and Janice Lawrence in Wichita, Kansas. Martin’s father was in the Air Force, so his family lived in several places including Caldwell, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Okinawa, Japan. Growing up, Martin loved to go camping and fishing with his family and friends at the creek in Caldwell. He also loved to play sports, especially high school football. He maintained a close bond to his football teammates throughout life. Martin loved working outdoors and spent many summers working on the farm in Caldwell owned by Dean and Janice Bruey, who loved him like their own son. On the weekends, Martin enjoyed going to antique car shows. His appreciation of antique cars continued throughout his life. He was very proud of the 57 Chevy he and his father restored to mint condition.
Martin graduated from Caldwell High School in Caldwell, Kansas. In 1988, he received a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Kansas State University. Martin’s first job brought him to Dallas to work for Texas Instruments, as a Manufacturing Engineer. He made the Dallas area his home. Martin spent most of his career as an IT software consultant, which enabled him to travel in North America and Europe, and worked with many people, many of which became dear friends to Martin and Carol. Over the past 3 ½ years, he was an Operations Systems Manager at Darling Ingredients.
Martin married Carol in Hawaii in June of 2003. He thought it was great to get married barefoot, standing on a sandy beach. Shortly after the ceremony God blessed them with a beautiful rainbow. Martin dearly loved Carol and their daughter Alexandra and he would have done anything for them. He was actively involved in Alex’s life while she was in school, including Daddy/Daughter dances, coaching basketball, and countless hours as a volunteer for her high school band. Martin was so proud of this daughter Alexandra, especially the day she graduated from Stanford University. To quote Alex, “You chase after what you want and encourage me to do the same. You’ve got spunk, tenacity and grit, while also showing love to your friends and family. You taught me that the best is always yet to come!”
Martin will always be remembered as being funny! No matter what the situation, Martin was quick witted and had a humorous comment that kept his friends and family laughing. He was a deeply loyal friend and would drop everything to help any of them at a time of need. Martin loved sports of any kind. His wife Carol complained that if Martin had the TV remote, it was tuned to a game. He was a fiercely loyal fan of the Texas Rangers and the Dallas Cowboys, and he loved to attend their games and tailgate beforehand. Martin also loved to go to K-State football games. He also followed K-State basketball, the Dallas Mavericks and the Tottenham Spurs from the English soccer league. Martin enjoyed golfing and cycling. He also ran in two marathons, one in Dallas and the other in Oklahoma, several years ago. In recent years, Martin relaxed by playing his acoustic or Gibson electric guitar.
Martin’s other interest was hunting. Over the years, he hunted deer in Kansas, west Texas, and more recently in east Texas at a ranch owned by his dear friends, Tim and Diane Fontaine. Martin loved being in the country – whether it be in a deer stand at dawn, lakeside at our friend’s cabin in Canada, or in a wheat field in Kansas. He also enjoyed the adventure of traveling to foreign countries with Carol and Alex, such as China, Germany and Caribbean islands. Martin loved to try international foods, and the spicier the better.
Martin was patriotic. This was rooted in his father’s commitment to the Air Force, growing up on military bases, and love of country. His tattoo, his father’s military dog tag centered in a large American flag, reflected his patriotism.
Martin was preceded in death by his father, James Mullin; his grandparents, John Mullin, Ruby Davidson, and Elmer and Gladys Lawrence; his aunt, Carol Lacey; and his father-in-law, Morris Olinyk. He is survived by his wife, Carol Mullin; his daughter, Alexandra Mullin; his mother, Janice Mullin; his aunts and uncles, Berdine Scott, Deloris
Mullin, Sam Mullin, John and Gloria Lawrence, Bill and Shirley Lawrence, Whitney and Cheryl Lawrence, and MaryBeth and Tom Hess; his mother-in-law, Bessie Olinyk; and numerous cousins.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Martin’s name to Wounded Warrior Project and Habitat for Humanity.
