Earl Lawrence Mcmullin

Earl (Lawrence) McMullin, age 95 passed away Sunday, January 16, 2011 surrounded by his loving family. He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia, of nearly 67 years, his son, Earl Wayne McMullin, as well as his parents, James Jason and Celia (Windsor) McMullin, sisters, Helen Day, Myrtle Hoover, and brother, Harold McMullin. \r
Earl (Lawrence) is survived by his daughter, (Anieta) Earlene (Larry) Baum; Grandchildren, Karen (Tim) Pederson, David (Susan) Baum, all of Hastings; Kevin (Tamara) Baum of Rolling Meadows, IL, Randy McMullin of Des Moines, IA, Jennifer McMullin McKeough and Sarah (Rick) Reed, all of Hastings. Great Grandchildren: Jason, Brian and Nicholas Baum; Rachel, Michelle, and Kayla Baum; and Grady Reed. Others special to him were Sean McKeough, Kara McKeough Hollars, Barbara Standage and many nieces and nephews. \r
Earl and Virginia McMullin arrived in Hastings, Michigan with their two children, Earlene and Earl in May of 1950, moving from San Diego, California. Earl (Lawrence) had been offered employment by Erik Vonreis to come to Hastings to help set up a fish-rod factory in beautiful Barry County. \r
Earl (Lawrence) was the son of Kansas Farmers. He was born in South Haven, Kansas (12/29/15), the youngest in a family of four children. He graduated from Arkansas City Kansas High School in 1933.\r
When he was 16 years old he met Virginia Lucille Coggins, who was also a Farmer's daughter, at a little country church near Gueda Springs, Kansas. They later became sweethearts and attended the same high school.\r
Earl and Virginia were married September 21, 1935. Following in their father's footsteps, they rented a 450 acre wheat farm and went deeply into debt. The depression years took its toll, as well as grasshoppers, black rust, green bugs, hail, etc. Earl, being young and ambitious, became very discouraged. After a prayerful decision, they decided to sell out and move to California, where he could try to make a better living for his family.\r
His daughter, (Anieta) Earlene, born in Arkansas City, Kansas was 4 years old when they made the move to San Diego, California in August 1941. Earl was immediately hired by Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation (now General Dynamics). He took classes at San Diego State College, furthering his education.\r
Then without warning, World War II started, December 7, 1941, changing the life of everyone. A son, Earl (Wayne) was born in San Diego, December 12, 1941 during a Black-out. The family felt the closeness of war many times with Black-outs, Barrage Balloons and alerts of enemy planes.\r
Earl was drafted into engineering defense work at Consolidated. The government issued an order that froze all aircraft workers to their jobs for the duration of the war and Earl worked 12 hours a day, seven days a week.\r
In May of 1947, he left Consolidated and soon secured a position with the National Research and Development Company where he was an Engineer in experimental work and was a pioneer in the development of Fiberglass, where he developed the first tubular fiberglass fishing rod.\r
After Earl (Lawrence) was hired by Orchard Industries and arrived in Hastings, he worked many long hours building machinery and equipment to produce action rod fishing rods and related items for the operation where he served as chief engineer and plant manager. \r
Over time, Earl (Lawrence) became aware of serious safety concerns in the electric utility industry and had a vision of how he might improve on the existing tools and equipment used by power companies. This vision led him to leave the fish-rod company and establish his own business, ""Hastings Fiber Glass Products"", in May of 1959 where he served as president until August 1977 at which time he became chairman of the board, a position he held until his death.\r
The company has created hundreds of job opportunities over the years, and although Earl (Lawrence) always expected a lot from his employees, he never asked them to do a job that he wasn't willing to do himself. He treated them with respect and was genuinely interested in them and their well-being. \r
Earl (Lawrence) was very active in community affairs over the years. He served on the board of directors of Hastings City Bank, Hastings Manufacturing Company, Pennock Hospital, and served on the YMCA Board. \r
He was past president of the Hastings Chamber of Commerce and the Hastings Community Fund. He was a Mason and 32nd Degree Shriner and a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Hastings for over 60 years where he served as a Ruling Elder, as well as chairman of the board of trustees.\r
Earl was a member of the Hastings Rotary Club for 55 years, receiving Rotary's ""Red Rose"" award in 2000.\r
In 2001 Earl, along with other family member's contributions, made it possible for the YMCA Camp to be reconstructed.\r
In May 2005, Earl (Lawrence) was presented with the Liberty Bell award by the Barry County Bar Association; an award to honor citizens for outstanding contributions and efforts to better our community.\r
In August 2005, he was named ""Senior Citizen of the Year"" by the Commission on Aging. \r
Well done, thy good and faithful servant. You were dearly loved, and will be greatly missed. May you rest in peace!\r
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Hastings (Memorial Fund or the Church's Noah's Ark Preschool). 405 N. M-37 Hwy., Hastings, MI 49058, the Pennock Foundation C/O Pennock Hospital 1009 W. Green St., Hastings, MI 49058, The Barry Community Foundation, 629 W. State St., Hastings, MI 49058 or the Charity of one's choice. \r
Visitation will be held Friday, January 21, 2011 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Hastings.\r
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, January 22, 2011 at 11:00 am at the First Presbyterian Church of Hastings, 405 N. M-37 Hwy., Hastings, MI 49058. Officiating the services will be Pastor Jeff Garrison, Pastor Willard Curtis and Associate Pastor Jim Spindler. Internment at Riverside Cemetery. \r
Arrangements are by the Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings. Please visit our website to leave a message or memory to the family. (girrbachfuneralhome.net). \r