Obit: Yakima Republic
Published On Thursday March 15 2007
Cecil H. Mullinax
Keith & Keith Funeral Home
MOXEE - Cecil H. Mullinax, 84, of Moxee, peacefully passed away at his home on Monday, March 12th, 2007 while surrounded by his family.
He was born on June 2nd, 1922 in Hedley, Texas. He was the 7th of eleven children born to James Lonny and Della Pearl (Willis) Mullinax.
Cecil was raised in Morton, Texas where he met his future wife, Louise, in the third grade. Cecil and Louise remained childhood sweethearts and were married in Morton on January 16th, 1943.
Cecil was a WWII veteran and served with the US Army; training in the horsemanship course at Fort Sill, OK and then serving with the 1st Cavalry. Cecil served in the South Pacific and in the Southern Philippines. He received the American Defense Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, and two Bronze Stars. He was honorably discharged in September of 1945. Cecil and Louise then moved to Selah where they raised their four children.
After retiring, Cecil and Louise traveled across the Southwestern states in their motor home for thirteen years. They returned to the Yakima Valley in 1998, settling in Moxee.
He is survived by one son, Cecil W. Mullinax and wife Cheri of Tieton, WA, three daughters, Remi Davis and husband James of Cle Elum, WA, Telena Curtis and husband Phil of Yakima, WA, and Letha Rust and husband Ray of Selah, WA, two sisters, Edith Stewart and husband Alton of Lancaster, CA, Hazel Skinner and husband Gene of Myrtle Creek, OR, and three brothers, Aldon Mullinax and wife Peggy of Morton, TX, Porter Mullinax and wife Ida of Graham, WA, and Murvin Mullinax and wife Joy of Yakima, WA.
He is also survived by 12 grandchildren: Rhonda, Reo, Heath, Deanne, Raymond Jr., Janelle, Arnold, Tonya, Tina, Bruce, Beth, and Andy and 10 great-grandchildren: Britney, Ashleigh, Bobby, Dylan, Kyler, Taran, Arnold "AJ", Samantha, Gunnar, and Samantha as well as numerous nephews and nieces. In recent years he spent much of his time in the company of his friend Ginger and her family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, five siblings, and one grandson, Jeffrey Curtis in 1979. His wife of 57 years, Louise, passed away in June of 2000.
During his long and fulfilling life Cecil took on many roles as a son, brother, uncle, husband, soldier, logger, father, carpenter, mechanic, fisherman, hunter, outdoorsman, a teacher to his children and grandchildren, caretaker, gardener, traveler, and Christian who has now returned to his maker.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday at Keith & Keith 9th Ave Chapel. Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 16th at 11:00 a.m. at the Keith & Keith Terrace Heights Chapel. Concluding services will follow in Terrace Heights Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Breast Cancer Research, American Lung Association or Yakima Regional Hospice c/o Keith & Keith Funeral Home.
Arrangements are in the care of Keith & Keith Funeral Home.