Charles "Charlie" Howard Mulligan, Iii

Charles Howard Mulligan III (Charlie), son of Charles H. Mulligan Jr. and Virginia Trokey Mulligan, entered this life on October 12, 1944 in Fullerton, California. He departed this life at his home in Haigler, Nebraska the morning of August 12, 2016 at the age of 71 years 10 months. Charlie was diagnosed with sarcoma cancer in January, 2015.

Charlie was the oldest of three children, and the family lived in Anaheim, California until his last two years of high school when the U.S. Navy assigned his father to duty in Subic Bay, Phillipines. In 1962, Charlie graduated from George Dewey High School in the Phillipines, then returned to California to attend college. Following his father’s footsteps, Charlie enlisted in the
U.S. Navy in 1965. He served in Vietnam from 1965-1966. After attending nuclear power school, he served on the USS Alexander Hamilton and the USS George Bancroft, fleet ballistic missile submarines, with eleven patrols based out of Rota, Spain.

While stationed in Charleston, South Carolina, Charlie arranged through a happenstance phone call a blind date with a girl named Myrna (Collicott). She became his ‘best pal’ and they were married in Anaheim, California on April 1, 1970. This marriage of love was blessed with two wonderful sons, Charles H. Mulligan IV (Skip) and Richard Thomas Mulligan. Charleston was home to the family until September of 1997 when Charlie was offered early retirement after 30 years of service with the Department of Defense. Charlie and Myrna returned to Myrna’s hometown of Haigler, Nebraska to enjoy retirement years.

Charlie was a man of many talents, and had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and research. He loved to travel, which fit in perfectly with his passions for golf and art. While living in Charleston, he enrolled in every studio art course offered at the College of Charleston.

He hosted several one-man shows, participated in many group art exhibitions, received an arts grant for an installation and showing at the Dock Street Theatre, and was involved with the Charleston Spoleto Festival, one of America’s major performing arts festivals. His medium of choice was printmaking, and he hand-pulled each of his prints.

After moving back to Nebraska, Charlie was able to continue his passion for golf by becoming involved in the development of the Ballyneal Golf and Hunt Club near Holyoke, Colorado. He became their ‘senior caddy’ for eight years, and especially enjoyed nurturing the younger caddies to be the best they could be. The continued success of Ballyneal was of prime importance to Charlie. He became their Club Historian, and on May 13, 2016, was awarded an honorary lifetime membership in the Club. Charlie also enjoyed playing the hickory golf clubs, and was a member of the Society of Hickory Golfers.

Charlie’s love for creative cooking and social camaraderie and laughter was satisfied by making pizzas and poppers at Jake’s Place in Haigler, and cooking fried rice for the Haigler Legion Smokers. He was a member of the American Legion Post #134 in Haigler.

Life was good to Charlie, and he lived it to the fullest. Every day he expressed thankfulness for his blessings. His four very loved grandchildren were priceless treasures to his heart. On every visit, he would spend individual time with each one. In his writings, he credited Myrna’s weekly private piano concerts as being his angelic inspiration for his connection with God. Charlie touched so many lives in so many ways; and those memories will last forever.

Those left to cherish family memories are his loving wife Myrna of Haigler; two sons and their wives: Skip and Melissa Mulligan and Richard and Trit Mulligan; four grandchildren: Hannah Reed, Lucy, Alayna, and Charles V (Chaz) Mulligan, all of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina; brother, Mike Mulligan of Roseville, California; sister, Patricia Petersen of Clovis, New Mexico; sister-in-law LaNeta and husband Stanley Carlock; and sister-in-law Galena Webster, all of Haigler, Nebraska; cousins: Joan Stark of Dayton, Nevada; Betty Thompson Seymour and husband Ken of Citrus Heights, California; and Laura Craig of Anchorage, Alaska; many nieces and nephews; and a wide host of friends. Charlie was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Virginia Mulligan; his aunt RoseMarie Boochever; his mother and father in- laws, LaVoine T. and Opal R. Collicott; and his brother-in-law, Gail T. Collicott.

Charlie chose cremation. Graveside services will be held at the Haigler, Nebraska Cemetery on Tuesday, August 23, at 11:00 a.m.(mdt) by Father Matthew Eickhoff of Benkelman, Nebraska. Military honors will be provided by Haigler’s American Legion Post #134. Lunch will be served by the Haigler United Methodist Women at the Haigler Legion Community Building following the service. Charlie’s sons and families will host a Celebration of Life and oyster roast in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina at a later date. Memorials may be given to Community Health Care and Hospice in McCook, Nebraska; to the charitable foundation of your choice; or to the family. Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home is assisting with the final arrangements.