Gerald “Duane” McMullen
Gerald “Duane” McMullen, age 66, of Dalton, Georgia, finished his race on Friday, September 29, 2023, at his residence surrounded by loving family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Betty McMullen.
In August, Duane celebrated 44 years of marriage to the love of his life, Tonya Philyaw McMullen, although their love story started as teenagers six years prior. His devotion to her was often shown in the form of surprises and endless “craziness” to make her laugh. As a father there was no act too extreme to show his love and devotion to his only son, Morgan. He would pull any prank or try any stunt just to see him smile. Many of their memories were made on a ball field, at the golf course, or on the lake where Duane would include as many other “young-uns” as possible to enjoy the fun. When his daughter-in-law, Jessica, came into his life, he immediately treated her like his own child and won her over with love and laughs that could be reciprocated but never outmatched. Murphy Hope McMullen had the luxury of being his one and only grandchild, the apple of his eye, for the few years they were on this earth together. Mac Mac’s memory will live on in the stories people share with her about him.
Though Duane was an only child, he enjoyed the chaos and camaraderie that came with marrying someone with four siblings, as he is survived by mother-in-law Dinah Marlene Hewitt of Chatsworth, sisters-in-law Angie (Rusty) Bronson of Crandall, Kristy (John) McKenzie of Chatsworth, Randi Philyaw (Cal Boling) of Chatsworth, and brother-in-law Phil (Luann) Philyaw of Tunnel Hill. Surviving aunts and uncles include Hilda Phillips, Jimmy McMullen, Tommy (Beverly) McMullen, Linda (Reed) Gee, Diane (Bob) Tester, Johnny (Sherry) McMullen, and Emily Snowden along with a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews. He is preceded in death by aunts Jean Powell, Virginia Frith, Sara Helms, Joann McMullen, and uncles Dillard Snowden, CW Snowden, and Wayne Phillips. Special friends Rhonda and Thomas Brown, Anita Smith, and Sheila Stancill Bramlett also survive.
Duane’s outgoing personality and hilarious antics earned him a multitude of nicknames throughout his life, but he dubbed most of his friends and family, “Shug”. He was not shy about asking any-given Shug for a favor, which often involved orchestrating some gift, surprise, or act of service for any-other-given Shug. He had a knack for knowing what people needed and making it happen. He could re-tell a story for the 100th time and somehow still make it funnier than the previous 99 versions. Duane brought joy and laughter to family and friends throughout the majority of his life while golfing or cheering on the Bulldogs. Known for having packed a lot of fun into his short stature, his earthly absence has already been felt by many.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3, at Love Funeral Home with Pastor John Paul Burdashaw officiating.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 11 a.m. until the time of service. Anyone in attendance is invited to wear red and black to honor Duane’s avid enthusiasm for the University of Georgia Bulldogs.
John Thomas, Johnny Bonds, Thomas Brown, Phil Philyaw, Dylan Coffey, Clinton Duke, and Johnny McMullen will serve as honorary pallbearers.