Gerald Mulder

July 6, 1937 - December 21, 2022

JAMUL — Gerald Saxton Mulder, a pillar and giant in more ways than one, peacefully went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at 7:48 a.m. at home, surrounded by his loving wife, Janet, and family, playing the guitar, and reading Psalms to Gerry out of his well-worn old Bible. Born in Helena, Montana on July 6, 1937, Gerry was the third child of James William Mulder and Thelma Louise (Humphress). Gerry had been under doctor’s care for more than three years for severe orthostatic hypotension, which despite endless medical interventions, resulted in numerous falls (as his blood pressure dropped dramatically when he stood), and any fall from 6’7” was traumatic.

When Gerry was four years old, his family moved to the citrus groves in Lemon Grove. Oh, the stories he would tell of the adventures with his younger brother, cousins, and friends back when San Diego was much more agricultural, and they were free to roam. Gerry was a resident of San Diego County for 80+ years, graduating with the first four-year class of students at Helix High School. Gerry practiced law in San Diego County for almost 60 years, after graduating from Boalt Hall School of Law at UC Berkeley, Earlier, he graduated from San Diego

State University, playing power center for SDSU basketball all four years for Coach Ziegenfuss, and was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. He met his wife, Janet Wilson, at SDSU, where they were bridge partners on the lawn behind the Sig Bench. Gerry and Janet got married after his first year in law school and just celebrated their 60th anniversary in June 2021.

Gerry is survived by his beloved wife, Janet; his daughters, Barbara Lynn (Neal Schaefer) and Dianna Lee (Tim Barkett); his older sister, Billee Ann Collins and younger brother, Ronald Mulder. He was preceded in death by his parents and older brother Jimmy. Known to his family as “Papa: The Man, the Myth, the Legend,” Gerry was fiercely loved by his nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Grandchildren (and spouses) include Joel (Taylor), Jordan (Tyler), Isaac (Mackenzie), Hannah (Niko), Ellena (Teddy), Daniel, Andrew,

Josiah, and Gregory and great-grandchildren: Christopher, Annayah, Bridget, Ezra, Audrey, Lucy Jane, Ezra, and Basil, as well as beloved sisters-inlaw, nieces, nephews and great-nieces.

Always prioritizing family, Papa and Grammy travelled hours to see the kids play sports, or perform, making sure to be there for all special events, no matter how far away. Papa and Grammy loved to have everyone at their Ranch in Jamul, where you would find Papa surrounded by his grand babies as he read aloud, or maybe wheeling the kids around in the wheelbarrow, or terrifying mothers as he caught the kids safely in his strong arms while they jumped off bales of hay stacked way too high. In addition, his love of sports (both playing and as a fan), he eagerly passed on, taking kids, grandkids and great-grandkids to countless SDSU football and basketball games, as well as the Padres.

Originally, Gerry set up his law practice in Lemon Grove, moving to La Mesa, where he practiced law for another forty years. Gerry took a medical retirement from his law practice over three years ago, but continued to receive calls up until the end, asking for his guidance and legal advice.

The most important thing in his life was his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Of all the many things he passed on to his family, his devotion to God was paramount. His magnanimous heart extended beyond family, as he generously gave to multiple churches in the area, as well as SDSU Athletics, San Diego Zoo, Special Olympics, Rady Children’s Hospital, to name a few.

There will be a Visitation on Friday, January 20 at San Diego Greenwood Cemetery’s Garden Chapel, between 4-7pm. His Memorial Service will be held in the Garden Chapel on Saturday, January 21, 2023, starting at 1:00 p.m., led by his son-in-law, Pastor Tim Barkett, followed by Interment next to his parents at Lily Lake Garden. A Celebration of Life Reception will immediately follow the burial at Greenwood’s Holmes Kipling Room from 2:30 to 5:30 where the family invites you to share photos and memories of Gerry’s life. Gerry and his family were blessed to be lovingly cared for by Sharp Hospice in the last month of his life. Donations may be made to Sharp Hospice in lieu of flowers.

Gerry always ended his mealtime prayers with, “Dear Lord, please help us to love each other more and to love You more.” We pray the same for each of you! He will be greatly missed!

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