Arnold Ray Mullins

Arnold Ray Mullins, Sr., CSM (Ret), – Knoxville founder of the Volunteer State Veterans Memorial Hall of Honor and the Volunteer State Veterans Honor Guard, passed away following an extended illness on Monday, September 20, 2010 at his Knoxville home. He was 75. He was born on March 18, 1935 in Pike County, Kentucky and was raised in a remote, rural and mountainous area called Caney Creek. He retired from the U.S. Army in 1979 as a Command Sergeant Major, Fort Polk, Louisiana with twenty-six and one-half years of military service having served in both the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He was awarded numerous awards and decorations including but not limiting to the Bronze Star, Two Meritorious Services, seven Army Commendations, Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Parachutist Badge. He was the Senior Army Instructor for the Perry-Letcher School System JROTC program in Hazard, KY until his retirement from the Kentucky Teachers Retirement System in 1985. He attended Northwestern Louisiana State University and Eastern Kentucky State University. He was awarded the Honorary Kentucky Colonel in 1980 and Honorary Tennessee Colonel in 1990. He was also a member of the Charles McKinney Lodge, Kerbela Temple, Scottish Rite, York Rite, American Legion #278, DAV #24 and KWVA. Preceded in death by his father, Leonard Mullins; mother, Martisha Mullins; half-sisters, Lola Barnes Arnold, Geraldine Fleming, Fernada Golden and Susie Rose; daughter, Sandra Klasek; grandson, Jeffery Klasek. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of twenty-five years, Patricia, daughter of Will Henry and Marcella Clemons; children from a previous marriage, Arnold Ray, Jr. of Mendota, VA, Mark and wife, Gail of Seymour, TN, Gwendolyn Davis and husband, Tim of Clay City, KY and Jennifer Duvall and husband, Drew of Durham, NC; eight grandchildren; one great-grandson; half brothers, Burley of Smyea, TN, George of Clintwood, VA, Alger of Clintwood, VA, Cecil of Davenport, VA, Junior of Baltimore, MD; half sisters, Carol Dotson of Smyea, TN, Reacie Cobb of Mt. Airy, MD, Chloe Hart of Preston, MD, Lora Rogers of Glen Burnie, MD and Rosa David of Clintwood, VA; adopted half-sister, Dianne Mullins of Clintwood, VA; numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to express their appreciation and say thank-you to a very special person who came into our lives, Barbara Haun, for her dedicated care, support and true friendship to our family this past year. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Shriner’s Hospital For Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607.

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Arnold Ray Mullins

March 18, 1935 - September 20, 2010