Tracy Nichols Mullis

A long time ago in a Galaxy far, far away… in a land known as Midland, TX, a small child was born to Colleen and Clifford Mullis. They named him Tracy Nichols Mullis. He was the older brother to Stephen Levi Mullis. They lived and played in this strange land until their father (Cliff) said, “let’s pack up and move to a little place outside of Houston called Spring.” It was here that he grew up to be a bright young man living on such things as beans and rice, mashed potatoes or spaghetti sandwiches which he became well known for. He graduated from McCullough High School and attended ACU for a brief time. After this, he returned to Spring to be part of the family business of Upholstery. At this point in life, his brother convinced him to try out as a wandering minstrel in a play called “Story Theatre”. Instead of a background part, they discovered a talented actor and gave him a leading role in the play. His favorite part was Turkey Lurkey in the short story of “Henny Penny”; and so, a star was born. It was during this play that he met this strange young figure unlike any other he had ever met. Soon they both discovered that they attended the same church. Thus, started a bizarre courtship and 3 years later, on August 2, 1986, Tracy Nichols Mullis and Diane Elizabeth Gay were happily married. Over the years to follow they had 4 amazing boys and became involved in ORWALL, Boy Scouts, LTC and Christian Drama at Summer Camp. These are only a few of the many activities they were involved in as the boys grew up. As his boys became men, they continued to teach and mentor other young boys and girls. One of his favorite activities was teaching Drama and playing softball at a summer camp in a remote land known as Bandina. He did this for 17 years. He was also known for nicknaming his children, grandchildren and various nieces and nephews. Not only was he a free-thinking soul, a good and loving husband, a great father, son and brother, he was a godly man. He put his God first and tried to live each day the way God wanted him to. It showed in the way he would listen when his friends needed someone to talk to, by the way he could lift others’ spirits in laughter, by the ones he welcomed into his home when they needed a place to live and by giving away his last dollar because they needed it more than he did. He was a quiet, private man, however, on Wednesday, May 17th, 2017 he left us here on this earth to sit by our Lord. Tracy Nichols Mullis is survived by his loving and devoted wife and soul mate for over 30 years, Diane; sons: 1) Joshua Erik Mullis (Icky) and partner in crime Kristi Parks Mullis (Susan) and their minions Nathan Scott Mullis (Bacon) and Erik Nichols Mullis (Irk); 2) Skyler Nichols Mullis (Skuz)and partner in crime Sarah Elizabeth Mullis (Lance) and their minions Elizabeth Grace Mullis (Edgy) and Elijah Nichols Mullis (Door Stop); 3) Zane Barker Mullis (Thor) and 4) Ty Gage Mullis (Tire Gauge). He is also survived by parents, Colleen Green Mullis and Clifford Nichols Mullis and brothers, Steven Levi Mullis and wife, Kathy Cooker Mullis and their minions, Connor Levi and Riley Nichols and brother, Willard Ray Rush (WJ). He also had three sisters-in-law, three brothers-in-law, 5 nephews, 2 nieces, 2 great nieces and various adopted children including: Christopher Shawn Marciniak and partner in crime Racheal Marie Marciniak both whom he married in 2016. So today we are not saying goodbye but instead “Until we meet again”. There is to be no sadness, well… maybe a little. We want to honor him by hearing your stories and putting them down on paper so we can share with our friends and family. Finally, we can say to him “God’s driving the bus and it’s your time to get off”.

Tracy Nichols Mullis

May 17, 2017