Obituary of Robert John Mullikin Jr.

Robert John Mullikin, Jr. was born November 28, 1943 to Ethel Woodward Mullikin and Robert John Mullikin, and departed this world on January 16, 2024. 

He was born in Emporia, Kansas where he lived a few years before moving to Dodge City, Kansas where he grew up and met the girl of his dreams after a rival football game. The beautiful Garden City girl stopped him on Main Street and asked where to get a Coke, and the rest was history.  

He joined the Army, married the love of his life, Janet Smith, and started their family at a young age. They welcomed four daughters, Shannon, Debbie, Nancy, and Kathy, within five years and he was their protector from day one.

He served his country for over 25 years in the United States Army rising to the rank of Sergeant Major. During that period, he served tours of duty in Vietnam, Thailand, Korea, France, Italy, and Germany. After leaving the service, he worked as a military contractor for over 32 years, overseeing the construction and maintenance of communications systems supporting troops around the world.  He loved his country and family above all else.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ethel and Robert Mullikin; his sister, Roberta Moore (Glenn Moore); his brothers, Joseph Mullikin, James Mullikin (Pat), and Russell Mullikin.  

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Janet Marie Mullikin; his daughters, Shannon Strand (Tom), Deborah Coggins (Andy), Nancy Mullikin, and Kathy Hodge (Tom). He also leaves behind seven grandchildren, Jordan Coggins, Robert Mullikin (Jessica), Kristan Coggins, Taylor Ellis, Charlie Hodge, Henry Hodge, and Jackson Hodge. To his great delight, he also met his great-grandson Emerson Long who he referred to as “Big E”.

He will be laid to rest among his fellow veterans at 11:00AM, February 16, 2024, at Pikes Peak National Cemetery, 10545 Drennan Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80925.
  
We will miss him forever but know he is a part of each and every one of us.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to his favorite charity, Tunnels to Towers, (www.T2T.org) in his honor.