Mel grew up on the ranch where there was no electricity or running water, but he had nothing but fond memories of his life as a child. Even the hard things about living somewhere without modern conveniences were fond memories in their own way.  Mel attended the Mount Pearl Country School.

What he did grow up with, was a home full of love, good food, laughter and music. Music was an important part of that home and to Phil Mullen who played the fiddle.  He made sure and encouraged his kids to learn an instrument and to sing.  Sounded like it was a common thing for Phil to get out his fiddle after a meal and tell all the kids to get out their instruments for a jam session.

They later formed family bands named the KC Ranch Hands and after that the Colorado Westernaires. Both groups played for dances around the area for many years, including Saturday night dances at the Mullen Ranch.

Mel initially learned to play the upright bass, probably joining the family band around the age of 15. He could sing too, and it wasn't long and he was singing lead on many songs.  He eventually learned to play the rhythm guitar, right handed as well, not an easy task for a lefty.  Mel, his brothers, sisters, nephews & nieces continued to play together at the many family reunions over the years.

Mel auditioned for and earned the spot as the upright bass player with the Smilin' Ernie Lindell stage show in the early 1950's.   Smilin' Ernie and his group had a regular show on KWGB radio out of Goodland Kansas.  When Ernie announced that they were going on tour into Canada, Mel left the group.  Something about "a sweetheart" waiting in Seibert, Colorado!  Later, in the early 1960's, the Colorado Westernaires had a regular television show on KLOE-TV, also out of Goodland.

Music continued to be an important part of Mel's life and part time income for his family. He started and led dance bands for the next 40 years.  Mel Mullen & the Plainsmen and Mel Mullen & Proud Country were his bands.  He loved to play and entertain the crowds and they loved to joke and visit with him, dancing to that great country swing music.  He played with many outstanding musicians including long time loyal band members for many years, Loren Lambert and Jerry Heinz.

Mel met his future bride, Carol Hase at the movie theatre in Seibert Colorado. They didn't go to the movie together, he just offered her a ride home after she had been at the movie.  She accepted that ride that night and never rode with anyone else ever again!  Mel and Carol were married on June 13, 1954 in Seibert.  They had just celebrated 63 years of marriage.

Mel and Carol were blessed by the births of two children, Gregory Bob Mullen born September 8, 1956 and Cynthia Sue Mullen (Wall) born on March 31, 1959.

Mel and Carol made their home in Seibert from 1954 to around 1960. They bought a little house on the southeast corner of Seibert and Mel worked at a local gas station.  Mel eventually ran his own gas and service station in Seibert, just north of highway 24 on the east side of town.  That little building still stands today.

Mel always had a desire to improve his working situation and their lives. He had an interest in electronics and sometime around 1959 he ordered a self-study television repair course.  He studied on his free time, even building a TV from scratch on the kitchen table in their little house.  After completing the course he started doing TV repair work on his own for extra income.  Around 1960, Lyle Stone who owned Lyle's TV in Flagler, CO contacted Mel and offered him a job.  Their first big move to Flagler soon followed.

Mel and Carol moved to Flagler and Mel worked for Lyle until 1964. Mel always had the entrepreneurial bug and about that time they decided to move to Burlington Colorado and open their own TV sales and repair business the summer of 1964.  Mel & Carol operated Mel's TV & Radio Service at three different locations in Burlington until approximately 1982.

At that time Mel pursued his real estate license and went to work for a local real estate broker in Burlington. He just could not avoid the self-employment habit and around 1984 he and Carol opened their own real estate sales company in Burlington called Hi-Mark Real Estate.  Mel and Carol ran Hi-Mark for the next 15 years.

In retirement in 2001, Mel and Carol decided to sell their Burlington home and move to Brush Colorado where their son, Gregg and his wife Ronda and boys lived. Mel went to work part time for Gregg in 2004 and retired for a second time in 2015!

Mel and Carol spent the next 15 years improving the home they purchased in Brush, chasing high school basketball games (Mel became a devout Brush Beetdigger fan!), driving into Denver to see Cindy and her family, a few trips to Blackhawk, watching their grandkids grow up, get married and seeing the birth of 8 great-grandchildren. One of their most memorable trips was to Red Oak, Iowa where Mel was able to research some Mullen family history and see the country where his dad grew up.

Mel was a dedicated husband, dad, father-in-law and grandpa. He took these roles seriously and set a fine example for all of his family.  He had a great sense of humor and loved to tease and be teased.  The life of the party would be an understatement.

Mel was preceded in death by his parents and ten siblings. He is survived by his wife Carol, his son Gregg and wife Ronda of Brush and his daughter Cindy and husband Dan Wall of Littleton.  Grandsons Dustin Mullen and wife Nicky of Milliken, CO, Andy Mullen and wife Lisa of Hemingford, NE, Nick Mullen and wife Mandy of Windsor, CO, Josiah Wall and wife Olivia of the Gold Coast, Australia and granddaughter Sarah Wall of Littleton.  Along with  great grand-children, Isabella, Austin, William, Wyatt, Natalie, Madelaine, Carter and Alexander.  Brother Delmar Mullen & wife Dixie of Flagler, CO,  sister Shirley Moyer & husband Paul of Mayer, AZ, sister-in-law Sharon Mullen of Leoti, KS  and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service to celebrate Mel's life will be held on July 22, 2017, 11:00 am, at the Seibert, Colorado cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the East Morgan County Hospital Auxiliary.  Please mail them to the Heer Mortuary, 222 Cameron Street, Brush, Colorado, 80723. Thank you.