James David Mulkey, age 76, passed away on January 4, 2026. A memorial visitation was held on Saturday, January 17, 2026 from the Rudder Funeral Home Chapel.
Mr. Mulkey is survived by his wife Angel; son, Jeremy Mulkey; daughter, Amanda (Patrick Frantom) Mulkey; sister, Jane Swallows; brother, Bob Mulkey; and his grandchildren, Jessica Mulkey, Sophie Mulkey, and Evan Frantom.
Mr. Mulkey was preceded in death by his parents Helen Shipley Mulkey and J.D. Mulkey and many deeply beloved pets.
Mr. Mulkey grew up in East Ridge, Tennessee, attending Spring Creek Elementary and East Ridge Junior and High Schools before graduating in 1967.
David obtained the rank of Eagle Scout while a member of Boy Scout Troop 119 at Spring Creek Baptist Church. After high school, he worked for a brief time at Volunteer Army Ammunition Plant (TNT) before joining the US Army.
He was selected to the US Army Special Forces, sent to Fort Bragg for training, and to Washington D.C. for language school. He became a paratrooper, a combat engineer, and a Green Beret and served in the Panama Canal Zone.
After leaving the Army Special Forces, he returned to the Chattanooga area where he met his wife, Angel (née McNabb), and worked as an electrician. He spent decades working for TVA at Widows Creek Steam Plant in Bridgeport, Alabama, and was a member of IBEW Local 721.
He might tell you that he was a decent mechanic, a serviceable carpenter, and an okay plumber, but a terrible welder. He was a champion for the underdog and worked to support local schools, the Special Olympics, and Christmas charities. He retired to his home in LimRock, Alabama.
For his whole life, David loved the outdoors (especially fishing, arrowhead hunting, and gardening), plants, and animals. He loved a good story and history. He was both incredibly smart and deviously clever. He was strong in his opinions. He lived his life as he wished.
