Lt. Col. Edgar R. Pullis, USAF Ret

Edgar R. Pullis, Lt. Col USAF Ret, adoring husband, loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather born January 9, 1928, in Murphysboro, IL, died On Sunday, October 19, 2025, in Gulfport, MS. Colonel Pullis was also known by many as “Capt. Ed.”

Colonel Pullis grew up in southern Illinois during the depression years of the 1930s. He loved the outdoors with a passion for hunting and fishing. He had an early interest in aviation, building many model airplanes of early vintage. He flew solo his first real airplane, a “Piper Club J-3” while still a student in high school.

Colonel Pullis’ main profession was in service to his country for 23 years in the Army, Army Air Corps, and the US Air Force. He enlisted in the Army at the age of 17 during WWII. He was immediately assigned to an Army specialized training program at Michigan State College. In 1946, he re-enlisted in the Army Air Corps and committed himself to a military career. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in 1947 at the age of 19. His first assignment was as a Project Officer at the Aero Medical Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Field in Dayton, Ohio. Then, he participated in the development of an air-ventilated flying suit. You see the modern-day version of this flying suit each time an astronaut “blasts off” into space. Colonel Pullis attended numerous schools, both military and civilian. His military schools and technical courses include: Officer Candidate School, U.S. Army Air Forces; Pilot Training USAF, Squadron Officers School at Air University Maxwell AFC, AL; Officers Radar Maintenance School; Staff Officers Communications and Electronics School; Aerospace Operations School; and Defense Language Institute, where he studied Italian prior to assignment to duty at the American Embassy, Rome, Italy.

Colonel Pullis also attended courses at Michigan State College, the University of Maryland, the University of Maine, and the University of Southern Mississippi.

During his career as a pilot, he qualified in numerous aircraft: AT-6, B-25, C-45, C-47, C-54, C74, C-124, and T-29. During the Korean Conflict, he flew 46 combat missions. At the time of his retirement from the Air Force, he had accumulated approximately 8,000 hours of military flying. During his service, he was awarded many medals and ribbons. After his retirement, he proudly displayed these on his cap.

After his military career, he received his broker's license in MS and sold real estate. Other activities were owner/operator of Ventura Charter Fishing, Capt. Ed’s “Seafood in the Rough” restaurant, Capt. Ed’s Vacation Cottages and Beach Houses in Mississippi City, as well as holding a general contractor’s license in the city of Gulfport. Ed was a member of the Gulfport Yacht Club for 55 years and a member of Trinity Methodist Church in Gulfport.

This obituary would not be complete without noting the impact on his life by his wife Jeannie. He held a deeply passionate love for her. They were husband and wife, lovers, best friends, and business partners. In 46 years of marriage, they never had a serious disagreement. Their joyful and committed relationship has been a model for all who know and love them.

Both loved the R.V. lifestyle and were members of a local RV club, “Friends on Wheels,” for 37 years. The friendships formed in this club and the travels together with them formed an integral part of their retirement years.

They also toured North America extensively over many years, including a 4-month odyssey to Alaska and Canada. Their international travels took them to many countries in Europe and Central America. For their 25th Anniversary, a second honeymoon to Australia and New Zealand fulfilled a long-held dream for Col. Pullis.

Colonel Pullis was originally married to Myra L. Bolling from Fairborn, Ohio, from 1948-1975. They had three children: Edgar A. Pullis, David J. Pullis, and Nancy S. Pullis. He remarried in 1979 to Jeannie Brame Mixon; they shared her son, Michael A. Mixon.

Loved ones who cleared a path for his homecoming in Heaven are: Ed and Dorothy Pullis (parents), George and John Pullis (brothers), Edgar Pullis (son), and Michael Mixon (stepson).

Loved ones who will miss him immensely until they are reunited in Heaven are: Jeannie Pullis (wife), David Pullis (son), and Nancy Pullis-Malek (daughter). Grandchildren include: Laura Allen (Jeremy), Angel Tull, Crissi Estupinan, Chaz Pullis, Melissa Manning (Wes), Jessice Polite, and Katherine Pullis. Great-grandchildren include: Hannah, Magdalene, Bekah, Jocelyn, Cole, Rosie, Noah, Finnley, Oliver, Hudson, Myra Jane, Kenzie, Oshen, Sawyer, and Willow. Great-great-grandchildren include: Nathaniel and Alister.

Our sincere appreciation to Comfort Keepers, specifically Holly, Richard, and Leanne, as well as the staff at Deaconess Hospice, who helped in caring for and loving Ed. You allowed us quality time and respite from the stress of being the full-time caregivers. Special thanks are also extended for 32 years of exceptional care given by Dr. Bill Streigel.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations are made to the Michael Mixon Scholarship Fund at Gulf Coast Community Foundation, 1119.75 Seaway Rd. II Biso Gulfport, MS 39503.

Funeral arrangements are as follows: Friends are invited to join the family for visitation and services on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Riemann Family Funeral Home, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport, MS. Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., with the Memorial Service at 2:00 p.m.

Colonel Pullis will be laid to rest with Military Honors on Monday, October 27, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. at Biloxi National Cemetery, 101 Memorial Drive, Biloxi, MS. Please arrive at the cemetery at 1:15 p.m.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, is proudly serving Captain Ed’s and his family. Please sign the online guestbook, and share memories & photos at www.riemannfamily.com