Frank Mullinax Obituary

From: Jannazo [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, July 03, 2016 11:49 PM To: [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: Last Flight for Frank Mullinax

To the 49th FSA

We lost another of our greatest generation, and founding member of the 49th yesterday--Frank Mullinax made his last flight on July 2. I know Heaven-his wife Elizabeth and all of his squadron mates were there to welcome him home.

The family has asked any donations you may want to send, be sent to the 49th FSA in Frank's memory. The funds will be earmarked to assist the various needs of the 49th family.

Visitation will be at the Heritage Funeral Home in Chattanooga, TN on July 7th from noon until 1 PM. At 1 PM, family and friends will depart for the funeral service at the Chattanooga National Cemetery at 1:30 PM.

Frank Mullinax Obituary:

Livie Frank Mullinax, Jr., beloved brother, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at his home in Memphis, TN on July 2, 2016 at the age of ninety-eight. Frank’s family lived in Watertown, TN before moving to Glendale, AZ where he was born in 1918. They moved to Highland Park, MI where he grew up with many other families employed by Ford Motor Company. His family returned to Watertown in 1932 where he later met the love of his life, Elizabeth Collie. They were married in 1942 when he graduated from pilot training with the U.S. Army Air Corps in Mission, TX.

During WWII, Frank was assigned to the 49th Fighter Interceptor Squadron where he flew a P-38 with nose art that designated it “Elizabeth”. His squadron flew to England and on to North Africa to fight the German Army. On December 28, 1942 Frank shot down two German aircraft before he was shot down by a German ME-109. He was immediately captured following a crash landing. He was held in prison camps for nine months before he and two other Americans escaped a train boxcar while being transported through Carrito, Italy. They evaded German troops in and around Carrito for nine months before the region was liberated by Allied Forces. When he returned to the 49th Fighter Squadron, he received a promotion to Captain and was transported back to the states, arriving in New York City on July 4, 1944. A video of an interview with Frank describing his military experiences are part of The Library of Congress Veterans History Project.

Upon his return to Tennessee, Frank earned a Juris Doctorate degree in law at Cumberland University and took a job as an insurance adjuster with The Tennessee Company. He and Elizabeth moved to Chattanooga where he opened a new office and managed offices throughout Tennessee. He eventually opened his own adjusting company in Cleveland, TN where he continued to work until he decided to retire at age eighty-four. He received a National award as the Most Outstanding Senior Worker in Tennessee in 2000. Frank and Elizabeth were members of the First Centenary United Methodist Church in Chattanooga for fifty years prior to moving to Memphis in 2005.

Elizabeth predeceased Frank in 2006 after 64 years of marriage. He is survived by his sister, Anne Mullinax-Jones of St. Paul, MN and four children, Dr. Larry (Barbara) Mullinax of Chattanooga, TN, Sharon Taylor of Memphis, TN, Don (Carolyn) Mullinax of Jacksonville, FL and Susan (Robert) Winn of Memphis, TN; nine grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. The persistence, love and generosity of Frank and Elizabeth have served as a wonderful example for generations of family.

Frank and Elizabeth were active supporters of the 49th Fighter Squadron Association where they had many dear friends. You can view annual reunion photos of Frank & Elizabeth on the 49th FSA website. The family asks that any memorial to Frank be directed to the 49th FSA in care of Ron Morrissette, 2601 Ivanridge Lane, Garland, TX 75044-4613 to support members of the 49th FSA who may be in need, and for support to current active duty members of the 49th FIS based in Columbus, MS.

Visitation will be at the Heritage Funeral Home in Chattanooga on July 7th from noon until 1 PM. At 1 PM, family and friends will depart for the funeral service at the Chattanooga National Cemetery at 1:30 PM.