Colorado State University

On Thursday, July 16, John Arthur Mulnix, age 76, departed this earth for a well-earned rest with his Savior. He died peacefully in Loveland, surrounded by his family. He was born January 17, 1939, in Colorado Springs to Juanita Bell and Lester Leroy Mulnix. He was a third generation native Coloradoan, and spent the majority of his childhood in Colorado Springs. He graduated high school in 1957 from the American School in Stuttgart, Germany. He married Charlene June Keller on August 20, 1961, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fort Collins, where he was a long-time member. He graduated veterinary school in 1963 at Colorado State University and went on to earn his Master of Science in physiology from there. He devoted his life to the practice of veterinary medicine. His expert, dedicated and loving care of animals came from his heart. He rose to the highest levels of professional recognition and esteem in academic circles, and he especially relished his time in the class and exam rooms. There he shared his gifts as a brilliant diagnostician, teaching his students those critically important techniques and skills. He held professorships at Cornell University, Colorado State University and the University of Utrecht in Utrecht, Holland and conducted research at each of those institutions. Even though he did not seek out recognition it seemed to find him. In his career he presented more than one hundred seminars and papers across the world. He authored and edited numerous journal and textbook publications. He began his career in private practice in Lubbock, Texas, and his career ended after more than thirty years of managing his own practice in Colorado. He was married to Charlene for fifty-four years. We appreciate and thank him for being so deeply committed to his family and for being a devoted husband and father. He was a loyal and steadfast friend to so many. Throughout his life what he most loved was the time he spent with his family, the time he spent in nature with family and friends. Those of us who knew and loved him were continually in awe of his ability to overcome extreme obstacles, endure pain and amaze medical professionals with his resilience and strong will to live. We will forever remember his generosity and kindness, his humility and grace. He is survived by his wife, his children and grandchildren, brothers and sisters, aunts and an uncle, nieces, nephews and cousins, and far too many friends to count.....a very bright light has been added to the heavens. Our family wishes to express our deep and sincere gratitude to the many incredible people who gave our father exceptional care. The physicians, nurses, and other specialists who helped him and us through this difficult time are amazing to us and we know the sacrifices they made for him, thank you Medical Center of the Rockies! A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 301 E. Stuart.  

Read More