Edward L. McMullen passed away peacefully at home on October 19, 2013. Family will receive friends from 4:00-5:30 PM, on Tuesday, October 29, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 11822 Holmes Rd., KCMO. A Memorial Mass will follow at 5:30 PM at the church.
Ed was born Feb. 13, 1929, in Kansas City, MO, to Louella and Floyd R. (Bud) McMullen. He attended Our Lady of Good Counsel Grade School, Maur Hill Preparatory, and Bishop Lillis High School. Ed was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Bob. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 64 years, Marianne; his children, Michael McMullen(Maureen), Mary McMullen-Light (Gary), Mark McMullen, and Marcia McMullen; and his grandchildren, Brendan and Ellie Light.
In his professional life, Ed represented various companies which sold machinery and large construction equipment, including Gardner Denver and Contractor Supply. Most of his work was dedicated to consulting on construction projects involving the building of bridges and highways. Ed was also a prolific inventor and held patents on machines and other inventions, leaving a legacy of ideas and projects currently in development.
Ed’s entire life was a rich tapestry of his kind acts, great and small. He was a loving husband to his beautiful wife Marianne and provided blissful childhoods for his four children whose lives were deeply influenced by his artistic vision and imagination. His deep faith and eternal optimism propelled him through every adversity he faced. He triumphed over all of these without fanfare or complaint.
He was known for his integrity, generous spirit, unceasing encouragement, and infinite creativity. Throughout his life, he showered his family and friends with affection and unconditional love. Many will remember his lifelong passion for football and his eardrum-piercing whistle.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Belinda Vail of KU Medical Center and Sisters Servants of Mary for their compassionate care.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be made to lung research at Mayo Clinic in honor of Dr. Mark Allen and mailed to Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905.
Gifts may also be made in Ed’s name to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, a place Ed treasured since he began visiting regularly as a child. The art and architecture of the Nelson fascinated and inspired him from his earliest years through his most recent visit last month.