Joseph Edward Mcmullen

Dr. Joseph E. McMullen, beloved husband of the late Sandra McMullen (Debauge), died peacefully on March 5th in Overland Park, Kansas City, after living a full, impactful, and enriching 88 years. Born November 7th , 1933, in Great Bend Kansas to Joseph E. and Ona (Morrow) McMullen, Joe is survived by his younger sister, Peggy (McMullen) Travers, his four devoted children Robert McMullen, Karla (McMullen) Klossner (David Klossner), Paula (McMullen) Wright (Eddie Wright), Joseph McMullen (Rebecca White), nine devoted grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. Joe was lovingly referred to as "Big Joe" among his family, a reflection of his big personality, spirit, generosity, appetite, sense of humor, knowledge, and love for his family.

Joe attended Culver Military Academy and graduated from Kansas University with a medical degree in 1962. Joe's first greatest accomplishment, second to his medical degree and career, was marrying the lovely, late Sandra L. Debauge of Emporia, Kansas on June 2 nd , 1961, in Kansas City, Kansas and raising four wonderful children together. Joe and Sandra moved to Hutchinson ("Hutch"), Kansas, where Joe practiced (and excelled at) general thoracic and vascular surgery for over 30 years. Dr. McMullen earned a reputation as a gifted surgeon and treasured his partnership with the other outstanding medical professionals he worked with in Hutchinson.

In addition to being a devoted husband, father, and surgeon, Joe was also a loyal servant to his country. He completed ROTC training in college and served seven years in the reserves before taking time off from his duty to build his surgery practice in Hutchinson, Kansas. An avid hunter and expert marksman, Joe spent his time away from surgery in the woods hunting with his fellow hunting partners and beloved hunting dogs. The long military tradition in his family and his desire to service led him to re-join the army reserves later in life, where he achieved the rank of colonel for his combined years of service.

Joe was called to active duty during the Desert Storm campaign in Iraq to act as Chief of Surgery in the 410th Evacuation Hospital, which was part of the 331st Medical Group, 89 th U.S. Army Reserve from Topeka, Kansas. Proud of being the second oldest participant in the campaign, Joe was awarded the Legion of Merit award for his service. He told his family one of the memorable medical tasks he performed was to help deliver a baby for an Iraqi civilian woman. This is just one example of many demonstrating that, while Joe excelled in the most challenging of tasks, he nonetheless took the most pride in the simplicity and humility of helping others.

Joe and his wife, Sandra, retired to Carbondale, Colorado in 1995 where Joe leveraged his skilled surgical hands for new hobbies, such as photography, painting, and sculpting. Joe and Sandra took several trips abroad and enjoyed the stunning countryside of Colorado in their twilight years together. They opened their arms and home to any visitors who wanted to likewise enjoy the beauty Colorado has to offer. Joe was always a willing chauffeur for skiers and would drive in any weather to "get you to the mountain" you wanted to ski. While smoking his pipe, he would patiently wait to escort you back to your lodgings.

Joe's family is planning a celebration sometime in September of 2022 in Colorado to commemorate Joe and inter his ashes to be reunited with Sandra in Carbondale, Colorado. Memorial gifts are encouraged to the Joe McMullen Memorial Fund of Hutchinson Community Foundation, PO Box 298, Hutchinson, KS 67504.

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