John was born in Somerset, Niagara County, New York on November 22, 1920. He was the only child of Elgie Bullen and Mary Pearl Rodgers Bullen. Following his graduation from high school in Detroit, John became employed as a machinist with the Cadillac Motor Car Company. In the months following Pearl Harbor the plant began to manufacture tanks and John enlisted in the United States Navy. He was commissioned as a pilot in 1943 and conducted anti-submarine operations off of Puget Sound. John eventually was transferred to the Corpus Christi Naval Air Station where he served as a patrol plane flight instructor. His pupils included future astronaut John Glenn and actor Tyrone Power.
Following the war John served as an air navigation instructor at the CC NAS through his retirement from the civil service in 1976. John then entered a new chapter in his life as he became a small business owner in San Angelo, Texas. John often described his years in business as the happiest time of his life. Following the sale of his business in 1998, John retired to Corpus Christi where he resided for the remainder of his years.
Although he never was a student at Texas A&M, John was an Aggie by heart. He loved visiting the campus and he regularly attended football games through his 80’s, often driving alone to go to the games with his son.
John was devoted to his cherished wife of 50 years, Betty Ruth Powell Bullen.
A memorial visitation with family will be held from 6-8 PM on Friday, July 31st at Sawyer George Funeral Home. Graveside services will be conducted at 10:00 AM on Saturday, August 1st at Robstown Memorial Park. Published by Sawyer George Funeral Home.
John was born in Somerset, Niagara County, New York on November 22, 1920. He was the only child of Elgie Bullen and Mary Pearl Rodgers Bullen. Following his graduation from high school in Detroit, John became employed as a machinist with the Cadillac Motor Car Company. In the months following Pearl Harbor the plant began to manufacture tanks and John enlisted in the United States Navy. He was commissioned as a pilot in 1943 and conducted anti-submarine operations off of Puget Sound. John eventually was transferred to the Corpus Christi Naval Air Station where he served as a patrol plane flight instructor. His pupils included future astronaut John Glenn and actor Tyrone Power.
Following the war John served as an air navigation instructor at the CC NAS through his retirement from the civil service in 1976. John then entered a new chapter in his life as he became a small business owner in San Angelo, Texas. John often described his years in business as the happiest time of his life. Following the sale of his business in 1998, John retired to Corpus Christi where he resided for the remainder of his years.
Although he never was a student at Texas A&M, John was an Aggie by heart. He loved visiting the campus and he regularly attended football games through his 80’s, often driving alone to go to the games with his son.
John was devoted to his cherished wife of 50 years, Betty Ruth Powell Bullen.
A memorial visitation with family will be held from 6-8 PM on Friday, July 31st at Sawyer George Funeral Home. Graveside services will be conducted at 10:00 AM on Saturday, August 1st at Robstown Memorial Park. Published by Sawyer George Funeral Home.
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