Jerry Wayne Mullis took his final breath and was welcomed into the arms of God on August 25, 2025, following the onset of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) nearly two years ago.
Born to Everett and Mildred Mullis in 1946, he spent most of his life – 76 of his 78 years – in Bedford, Indiana. Jerry was a 1965 graduate of Bedford High School, and, at his sister’s urging, went on to earn his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Indiana State University. He began his 39-year career in business education at Washington High School. Still, he quickly switched to his hometown school system, Bedford North Lawrence, where he taught Business Law (his favorite course), Typing/Keyboarding, and other business classes.
Jerry was passionate about investing in the lives of young people. In addition to classroom teaching, he led the church youth group (Omega House) in his early adult years. His joy of teaching, desire to serve youth, and deeply competitive nature found a natural outlet in coaching. Throughout the years, he coached Girl’s Club softball, BNL boys’ tennis, and, most enthusiastically, Free Methodist Bible Quizzing, which became a central part of Jerry’s life for 20 years.
He deeply valued helping youth develop a love of scripture and coached all three of his daughters and two of his grandsons. He led five teams to national championships and was inducted into the Free Methodist Bible Quizzing Hall of Fame in 2018.
While his early dreams of playing basketball on the Bedford High School team never came to fruition, he was able to express his love for the sport by operating the Bedford Church League basketball for nearly 20 years and “coaching” Indiana University basketball from the comfort of his couch. Jerry also served his community by teaching adult education classes at night and preparing tax returns through the VITA program.
Jerry loved Jesus and was a devoted, lifelong member of the Bedford Free Methodist Church, where he served in various capacities. A gifted teacher, he merged his passion for God’s word and his delight in bringing others to deeper learning by faithfully teaching Sunday School for 56 years.
Jerry was a loyal friend and “checkers-mate,” a dedicated servant and leader, an involved father and playmate, an engaged grandfather and chess mentor, and a loving husband and dishwasher.
While we rejoice that his struggles on this earth are over, Jerry will be deeply missed by many who love him, including: Denise, his wife of 56 years; his sister Carol Taha of New Jersey; his three daughters: Rachelle (Bill) Brown of Bedford, Indiana; Shannon (Gilbert) Liu of Columbus, Ohio; and Rhea Dawn Snider (Rob Wilkerson) of Madisonville, Kentucky; his nine grandchildren (Elizabeth Fuller, Sadie Wilkerson, Caleb Brown, Andrew Brown, Ezra Liu, Elijah Liu, Ceci Wilkerson, Evan Liu, and Eden Liu); his 12 nephews, four nieces, and their spouses and families; and by dear friends and fellow church members.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Everett and Mildred Mullis, brother Perry Mullis, sister-in-law Elsie Mullis, brother-in-law Oney Sims III, brother-in-law Issam Taha, sister-in-law DeAnne Rector, son-in-law Thomas Snider, and nephew Eric Sims.
A funeral service will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 31, at the Free Methodist Church with pastor Adam Strauser officiating. Burial will follow at Cresthaven Memory Gardens. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 30, at the Free Methodist Church and 2:30 p.m. until the hour of service on Sunday.
The family has been grateful for the incredible support of the ALS Association of Indiana and Team Gleason, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving individuals with ALS.
In lieu of flowers, we welcome donations to Team Gleason in Jerry’s name.
Family and friends can share memories and express condolences at www.daycarter.com.
