John C.McMullen

"Dear Lois and family, You husband, father and friend was my mentor and wrestling coach for several wonderful and agonizing years. I wish I was still in that good of shape! He was a great leader, great coach and a great man who will always be with me. I am blessed that he chose to share himself with me, our team and our school. I wish you my heartfelt sympathies. Tom Lemons"

"Lois and Family, I will always fondly remember all the times our family spent together as I was growing up. So many great memories from trying to sneak by the crazy cat I would sit for at John and Lois's house to all the hilarious stories while painting with John and the paint crew. John will be truly missed by all who had the great fortune to know him."

"I have fond memories of John in high school as a wonderful teacher. He always was willing to lend an ear no matter how busy he was. I have wanted to be a nurse for as long as I can remember and John helped me to realize that dream. What an honor for me to be able to care for John in his final days here on earth. He was an inspiration to so many. Look down on me from up there my "John John". I will never forget you. God bless you Lois and thank you for trusting John to my care."

"Mr. McMullen was one of those rare teachers you never forget. He truly made a difference in my life and I'm sure countless others. My thoughts and prayers are with his family."

"We were a wrestling family. As youngest of four wrestlers, we got to know Coach Mcmullen from the late 50's to the late 70's and remained friends ever since. John and Lois were always there for the tragedies and good times of my life - my diving accident and hospitalizations, my brother wrestling Coach Mytty's sudden death at age 46 and our wedding.Yet he reminded me many times before the insurance company made it big with the big word, "if". You don't worry about the "ifs" - you learn from it and move on. His simple math in wrestling taught us well, always yelling, "1 but not 2!". When you had control of your opponent, it was less points lost to let him go versus let him reverse positions. Our sympathy goes out to Lois, Mike, & Janet and kids."

"John was my wrestling coach 73, 74 class years. He made a real impact on my life helping me have self confidence and reaching goals. Tough coach to wrestle for but always demanded you do your best. You will be missed by many, I am very lucky to have known you when I did."

"Such a tremendous teacher, coach and most importantly a human being. I was blessed to not only be a student in which he opened my mind, call him coach where he fostered my character, sense of team and committment, but also to be a member of the same congregation, where I shared his faith. He always had that encouraging smile and welcoming handshake not only for me but for my family as well. He always had the ability to reveal and develop the best in the lives he touched. Thank you for everything Coach."

"Mr. McMullen was my wrestling coach at Fremont High,not only a good coach but he cared about want we did in an outside of school too. He was like having a big brother,you could set down and talk with him. He will be miss alot."

"I remember all the good times we had in John's biology classes. He put up with a lot of hassling from me. But he always smiled at me no mattter what I said or did. The last time I talked to John was in 1967 when I was coming back from the Vietnam War. We had a nice talk and he left me with a smile on his face. God Bless You. Because there is no doubt your in heaven looking down at all of your freidns and past students."

"Rest in peace coach John, thank you for everything! thoughts and prayers to Lois and family. Dale"

"To Lois and family, Condolences, you have our deepest sympathy, Sincerely, Randy and Linda Wagner"

"John was a great man. I was a student of his in the late 70s. I remember him having such a great sense of humor that seemed to captivate his students. We all loved him. He will be missed very much."

"John was one of my favorite teachers in high school. He genuinely loved his students and wanted all of us to succeed, not only in his classes but also in life in general. He will be truly missed by all who knew him. My sincere condolences to the family. Godspeed Mr. McMullen and may you rest in peace."

"Dear Lois, Jan, & Mike, A grin unique to John, a twinkle in his eye, his humor that was never condesending, but genune, and his kind perspective, all of these and much more describe my rembrance of the heart of "McMullen". Heaven is happier because of his presence. He represented his Savior well. We look forward to his meeting us and giving us the Kingdom tour. . Comfort to you all until that day, Carol Homa"

"Lois and family: You have our deepest sympathy. John was a great person to teach and coach with. I will never forget the good times we had and what he taught me as a person. He touched so my hearts and left a positive mark on each and every one of them. Best regards, Al & Joan Sawtelle"

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of a truly wonderful man. I know that he helped my son through some tough times with his remarkable wisdom. Sincerely, Ed Gilbreath"

"Coach, I now realize that your understanding of people and the fairness with which you treated everybody is the reason for the way I coach and teach young people at LSW. Thanks for the note you wrote to me several years ago. I immediately framed it and displayed it with the rest of my coaching memorabilia. Thanks for the Cokes after king of the hill and for understanding my sense of humor in your Psychology class. Deepest sympathies from myself and the rest of the Lincoln Southwest wrestling family. Sincerely, Aaron, Kristen, Morgan, and Logan Finley, and the entire LSW wrestling community."

"I want to share my deepest sympathies to the McMullen family. John was one of my all time favorite teachers and was a great role model for me. He was very kind and sincere and really cared about you as an individual. He will be greatly missed. Respectfully, mark voss"

"Thinking of you all at this time."

"John was an amazing man! He will be truely missed by all who knew him! I was blessed to know him! Lois, please let us know if you need anything at all! We all love you!"

"As former students of Mr. (Coach) McMullen (and class mates of Mike's), we will always remember the great times we had in Psychology class. Mr. McMullen was a great instructor and taught with fun and carrying ways. He will be greatly missed at the FHS wrestling meets that I have seen him at in the recent years. Peace be with your family at this time. Beth Scott & Matt Schiermann"

"Coach Mac: You were my favorite and best coach. You made football fun. You were so interested in my future and I welcomed your advice. You made a great difference in my life, and I will forever thank you for that. To the McMullen family, I am greatly sorry for your loss."

"Coach John. Thanks for all you taught me as a kid who loved wrestling. You were an inspiration to a lot of young hearts and minds who were just learning life's lessons. You showed us that pain was part of life. You showed us how to overcome it. With victory, there would be some defeats. I promise, I will stay off my back for the 3 second count."

"The world lost a truly wonderful man! I have many fond memories of John as a fellow coach and official. He was the epitome of excellence!"

"Mr. McMullen was a fantastic educator and always made you feel important and valued. I will never forget his psych class and how much I enjoyed it. You will truly be missed by many. Thanks for everything Mr. M."

"I remember Coach McMullen as the Fremont wrestling coach in the late 60's. I was a member of Columbus High's first wrestling team and we rode the bus with the Fremont wrestling team to Scottsbluff to our first wrestling conference meet. He was a wonderful person and I will never forget him. My sympathy to his family."

"Although I did have the honor of meeting John, I've been a friend of his son Mike for many years. Anyone who raised a song as kind and caring as Mike had to be a wonderful father. My prayers are with the entire family."

"Lois and Family John was the ultimate teacher who inspired many of his students to become teachers. My personal decision to become a teacher occurred in John's Psychology class. I can remember a conversation when I asked him if he liked teaching. John simply responded where else to you impact the lives of so many! I witness John's impact while I was a student, and again when I became an administrator at Fremont and Clarkson college. John was truly a pencil in God's hands! May the perpetual light shine upon him and may he rest in peace."

"Lois, My deep prayers go out to you and your family. You and John were always so friendly and nice to me and my family over the years. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all! The Donahues"

"Coach was my psychology teacher at FHS.He was also a personal family friend because my brother Jeff served as his assistant wrestling coach in the late '70s.Even though he never coached me, Jeff always felt he had made the biggest impression on him of any other person in his life. Jeff is the only head coach of a state championship in wrestling in the history of Papillion-LaVista High School. He was inducted into the Nebraska State Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame in 2008. That event in Columbus was the last time I saw Coach McMullen in person. Jeff always treated him as a second father. I'm sure that our other brother, Pud, who wrestled at FJHS, was there to welcome him into heaven. I am a teacher, and my oldest son is studying to be one, because, yes, there is no better way to influence so many lives.Thank you for your service, coach. Respectfully-Gregg Kupfer"

"Dear Lois, Mike and Janet, My thoughts and prayers are with you. John was a great teacher and a great person in general. I'll never forget when I took his psychology class in high school. We were quite the class to teach and he never let us forget it! He made learning fun and I've never forgot that. Kristin (Windeshausen) Henkenius"

"Mike and Janet, I am so sorry to hear of your dad's passing. Of all of the classes I took at FHS, I don't think I have talked about any of them as much as I have talked about your dad's. He was one of a handful of teachers who made my experience in high school truly enjoyable! He was a terrific educator and an exceptional motivator. He made me want to do well in his class. I believe he has inspired many students over the years, and his loss will be felt deeply by many. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you, your mom, and your families during this most difficult time. Brian and Janet (McKinney) Busse"

"To the McMullen Family. John was a wonderful teacher. Made learning fun and taught us how to respect one another. He made our highschool years very memorable. Our thoughts and prayers are with you."

"It's been many years since I sat in Mr. McMullen's psychology class, and yet I remember it better than most any other class, from kindergarten through grad school. Thank you, Mr. McMullen. You set me on my life's course."

"Dear Lois, Mike, Janet and families, We are sad to say goodbye but glad to know where John is and that we will be together again - friends forever. We remember the good times shared with your family and are thankful to have known John and thankful for the good influence John had on our children. He is missed! You all are in our prayers for comfort and the blessing of reminiscences of who John was to each of you. Your friends, Bill & Kathryn"

"Lois, Mike and Janet, John was an outstanding man, a great leader in our church and one of the finest teachers that I had the pleasure to be a student of at FHS. I still have fond memories of him greeting me nearly every week at church on Sunday mornings. I am saddened that I will not be able to attend his memorial service, as he had such a positive influence on my life. My condolences to you and all of your family during this difficult time."

"To the family of Mr. McMullen....What a wonderful person to have been included in so many young peoples journey. My husband John Lillie was in Mr. McMullens home room in high school and then our son Jason had the same homeroom teacher along with his being all of our Physoclogy teacher. That was a great memory for our family to have had such a wonderful experience. He made learning interesting and fun. I hope some recall the "McMullen Cow Theroy"..... made us laugh then and surely "smile now".... I consider myself and my family very fortunante to have known "Mr. McMullen" ....after graduation he said "foregt the formal greeting, John will work." You are in my prayers and thoughts as you go through this difficult time."

"My thoughts and prayers are with the McMullen family at the news of John's passing. He was a special person and a very positive influence for me during my high school years. I wrestled for FHS from '71-'73 and knew John simply as "Coach". After graduating and moving on, I would make it back to visit family at Thanksgiving each year and a fond holiday memory I have was spontaneously hooking up with Coach for an easy jog out and back on Yager Road. We'd catch up about things going on, mainly with me, and at the end of the run, wish each other well and look forward to doing it again next year. Thanks again for the runs, Coach. Rest in peace."

"Lois, Mike & Janet, We send our deepest sympathy. John was a fine man, and a great coach, mentor, and friend. John made a huge impact on my life. Please don't dwell in sadness, but celebrate the wonderful accomplishments of this great man."

"I am sorry for your loss. I think of Mr. McMullen and his "McMullen Cow Theory" with smiles and fondness almost daily. He never had a seating chart for his classes. Likened us to cows. Cows always go to the same place in the field. Students always go to the same desk in the room, so no need for a seating chart! How true it is! I chuckle about that whenever I go into the second stall in a public restroom...same place, every time. Thank you Mr. McMullen, I will always remember you."

"I am reminded of a great man who I knew in school, church, and Boy Scouts. Friends with his son Mike. Fond memories and my condolences go out to the family during this humble celebration of John's life and the many hearts that he touched. You're in my prayers. Sincerely, Jeff Widgren"

"Lois, Mike & Janet, Many are the memories of the times our families spent together. Although it has been years, we look back and remember John and the incredible and special man he was. He touched the lives of many in ways I am sure we will never even know. The friendship between he and my dad, their painting escapades and coaching antics are legendary. He will be missed. May your comfort come in knowing you will one day see him again."

"My thoughts are with you."

"As former students of Johns at FHS we wish to extend our sincere sympathy to you, his family. He touched many lives throughout his career and outside of the school room as well. May you find God's comfort to bring you peace and joy once again."

"Lois and family, We are saddened to hear that John has passed away. He came to FHS when I was a senior there. I remember his grin from the first time I saw him in the halls. We became friends in later years through our involvement in sports and when I served as your mailman. We even had a stint one summer together, as painters. We saw each other in later years at movies in Omaha. I will always remember his calming ways. I consider him as one of the greatest mentors. Sincerely, Don Dickmeyer"

"I am deeply saddened by the McMullen family's loss. John was a great and good man. I knew him first as a teacher, but longer as a friend. John is one of those folks who shaped who I am and I am grateful to have known him. He and his family always made me feel welcomed in their home. I will miss our conversations and his wonderful sense of humor."

"Lois and family, I am sorry for your loss. Coach was a great guy and will surely be missed. He influenced so many in his years of teaching and coaching. I know my life is much richer for having him as a coach and a role model. Peace to you all. Sincerely, Jim"

"Coach John, you blessed many of us over the years. You have left a legacy of which you can be proud. Your soul will be with God. Thank you for the influence on my life. I was a better adult because of you."

"Dear Lois, Mike & Janet......We are deeply saddened to read about John passing away. He truly was one of the great teachers FHS could ever have had!!! Such a nice person and one could tell he loved his students, family, friends & life. I have fond memories of seeing you & John at church, whenever I made it home to see my parents, and I always looked forward to visiting with you guys. I wish I were there to give you a big hug Lois.....but unfortunately I can not......so the next time I'm home, I'll give you that hug. May it help knowing friends far & near are thinking of you, will help ease the pain. Our sincere sympathy. Barb & Dave Christiansen Littleton, CO"

"Louis, Mike and Janet, My heart goes out to you. John was a remarkable person and father. I am so honored to have known such a special person. He listened and helped me thru a difficult time of my life for which I am grateful. He will truely be missed. You are all in my prayers. Jolene"

"Thanks for all the wrestling techniques you showed us during those times. And I will never forget your insisting on nothing but our very best. No slacking of when you were around."

"Sending sympathy to the family of one of my most favorite teachers and coaches I had while attending Fremont High. John was a very good person, and will be missed but remembered by so many. My prayers go out to his family at this time of sorrow."

"To the McMullen Family I accompany you on your loss. Coach will be missed by many! I will carry his memory's with me forever all those special moments in time,that he shared with me,how to conduct myself after wins and losses in sports and in life. He was special he laid out his life for all to see,an follow in his example. Thank you for everything Coach!"

"To my classmate Mike & his family: My sympathy's to all of you. John was such a sweet man who I will always remember. I am so glad I was part of his care. You are all in my thoughts & prayers."

"My thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Mcmullen's family and friends. He was a great teacher and coach. He will truely be missed."

"I am very saddened to hear of the passing of Coach McMullen. He has left a legacy of teaching boys how to become men. I, for one, will be forever grateful even though I had to learn the hard way! God bless you for your influence on my life."

"One of the best Humane beings I ever had the privilege of knowing, teach them well up there Coach, they've been waiting for you. I'll never forget his voice as a coach, "Work them bodies, Come on work them bodies" He always said it with warmth & caring, not as a threat, all he ever asked of anyone was for them to do their best. Keep a seat warm for me Coach, see you when I get there."

"Lois, My prayers are with you and your family. John was the consummate educator and friend. What a commitment to the young people of Fremont! Quite inspring to read the messages shown here. Sincerely, Frieda Dietrich Singapore American School"

"Dear Lois and family: I was so saddened in hearing of John's passing. He was a great, gentle man, an excellent father, a wonderful teacher and I was glad we became friends after I left school. I know he will be greatly missed by you all, the church, and the community. My sincere condolences at this time of your great loss. Best wishes."

"I am saddended by the loss but enriched by the contirbution Coach made in my life. So many fond memories. I remember the joy in Coach's face when in psychology class, he announced the birth of his son, MIke. I remember Coach in his cut-off sweat pants at wrestling practice sweating like the rest of us and I recall his motivational talk at the beginning of the season and his arm around me after every match. His recommendation letters helped me get to the Air Force Academy. When I login to my bank account one of the security questions is "Who was your favorite teacher" The answer is easy. Coach John will be missed."

"Mike and family I have you in my prayers. I remember Mr. McMullin pysch class so well, I enjoyed his class and teaching style. I was never bored listening to him and some how I managed to want to learn more from him. We have lost a great educator, coach and mentor. We are all much richer for having been able to know him."

"My thoughts and prayers are with Mr. McMullen's family. I had him for Psychology in 11th grade and it was one of my favorite classes. Mr. McMullen was one of the better teachers at FHS. Rest in Peace, sir!"