Dr. John C. Mcmullan

Dr. John C. McMullan - known affectionately in the community as "Doc" - cemented Kennett School District #39 as a premier educational institution in the Bootheel. A lifelong lover of music and education, he was a beloved father, community member and friend. McMullan was born in Cotton Plant, Arkansas, on March 21, 1933, to John H. and Hazel McMullan. He came from a large farming family and had two sisters, Mary Elizabeth and Barbara Ann, and a brother, Charles Thomas (known as Benn), who are deceased. Music made its way into McMullan's life as a 10-year-old when he began taking piano lessons. After graduating from Cotton Plant High School in 1951, he enrolled in Arkansas State College, now known as Arkansas State University. McMullan earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1955. Throughout college, McMullan participated in music, social and military activities. He participated in orchestra, choir, band and presented a senior piano recital. McMullan was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Social Fraternity, Student Government and Phi Mu Alpha Music Fraternity. McMullan enrolled in ROTC for all four years of college and received a commission as second lieutenant. McMullan taught music for a year in southwest Missouri before reporting to Fort Sill, OK for Basic Officer's Training in artillery. He was on active duty for six months and served seven-and-a-half years in the Army Reserve, attaining the rank of captain. After his time in the Army Reserve, McMullan transformed the state of music education in Kennett. In Jan. 1957, McMullan came to Kennett as the junior high school teach and the elementary music supervisor. In July of that year, he was named as the band director for grades five through 12. Under McMullan's direction, Kennett's band participated in various concert and marching festivals, concerts, parades, All-County and All-Division band competitions as well as Kennett High School football games. Two highlights for the band under McMullan's led the band to participate in former Governor John M. Dalton's inauguration in Jan. 1961. In 1964, Kennett's band represented the entire state of Missouri in the Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans. McMullan also served as director and counselor at the Southeast Missouri Band Camp at Southeast Missouri State University. All the while, McMullan continued his own education. He received a Master of Science in Music Education degree from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana in 1962 before heading to the University of Mississippi in Oxford. He obtained his Doctor of Educational Administration and Supervision in 1969. In 1967, McMullan became the Assistant to the Superintend of Kennett Public Schools. He was then appointed superintendent in 1972. He served as superintendent from 1972 until 1991. McMullan served the Kennett Public Schools a total of 34 years. His tenure led to many improvements in Kennett School District #39, such as the addition of the Home Economics Cottage at Kennett High School and the Industrial Arts building at the then Kennett Junior High School (now Kennett Middle School). Rooms were added to the elementary schools, air conditioning was installed across the district and voters approved a bond issue to fund renovations. McMullan oversaw improvements and additions for programs geared at ensuring all Kennett students would be poised to take their next steps in life. Many changes occurred in 1973 under McMullan's tenure. The district added a practical nursing school and a children's diagnostic center. The high school began offering college-level courses through SEMO. And, 1973 was a foundational year for women's sports in Kennett. The Kennett High School's girls basketball program began. During his tenure, McMullan was president of the Missouri Association of School Administrators. Last year, he was honored at the MASA convention for his outstanding service as an administrator. McMullan was involved in various educational organizations across the Bootheel and the state of Missouri. He was a former member of the Kennett Kiwanis Club and the Friends of Music Society. A small business owner, McMullan co-owned the Bootheel Music Center and Charley's Pizza. At the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), McMullan served as an Elder Emeritus, chair of the church board and as a member of the Christian Men's Fellowship. His musical touch extended to the church. McMullan was an organist and choir director. Throughout the decades, he played for myriad local weddings and funerals. McMullan married Arda Tomlinson in 1959, and they were married for 62 years. "We honeymooned at Kentucky Lake, and it rained, I think, while we were there," McMullan said in an interview in 2018. Shortly after their honeymoon, the couple moved to the University of Illinois to obtain Masters degrees. Both Arda and John earned their Masters of Science in Music Education. On Aug. 23, 1963, their son John T. was born. On Feb. 17, 1967, their daughter Leigh was born. The McMullans' family life is well-documented in Arda's photo albums. In that 2018, McMullan described his and his wife's action plan should anything happen to the house. They had two priorities: the children and the photo albums. "She was to take the kids and get out the door," McMullan said of his wife, Arda, "and I was to get the photo albums." McMullan had five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. John T. married Michelle Lowe and had three children: Abigail, Marie and Benjamin (Ben). Leigh had two children, Laurel and Tripp. Laurel married Michael Rawlinson in 2016, and they have three children: Lennox Rose, Michael Beck and Greysen Tate. In his retirement, McMullan spent his time attending his grandchildren's activities, always grabbing a seat at his granddaughters' spring musicals and grandson's basketball games. He kept up to date with Southeastern Conference football and was a dedicated fan to Ole Miss. The McMullan family would like to offer their sincere gratitude to Dr. Dave Jain and the Piggott Community Hospital for their impeccable and compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, donations, memorial or gifts can be given to the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) at 105 W. Washington, Kennett, MO 63857, or electronically at www.kennettchristianchurch.org. Graveside Services will be private. Powell Funeral & Cremation Services, Kennett is in charge of arrangements.