Lon Bullman

Lon Bullman

79, of Jacksonville, Fla.

Lon W. Bullman lived 79 joyful years, leaving us on December 19th. Lon was about people. Lon was about giving. Lon was about love. Lon was a resident of Jacksonville for 36 years. He resided also in Hazlehurst, Ga., Ramsey, N.J., and Waterloo, Iowa. Born in Somers, he loved his beautiful home state and was proud to be a Montana native. He graduated from Libby High School in 1954 and has actively maintained those relationships for 61 years.

Lon served two years in Babenhausen, Germany in the U.S. Army where he met and married his first wife Karin Sommer, the loving mother of his children. He returned to Montana and was employed for over 35 years by St. Regis Paper Co./Champion International where he worked his way through the ranks to become a lumber sales manager responsible for the sales from eight mills.

Lon lived life with the belief that all people were his friends and indeed most were. He loved life and lived it with much joy and gusto. He was a man of faith who delighted in God’s creation. He enjoyed being on his boat, collecting wooden carvings, and presenting dollar bill rings (in exchange for a smile) to everyone he met. As a friend maker, his highest reward was bringing a smile to others. Most of all he loved his family. He was a patriarch of joy.

He is predeceased by his parents, Carl and Hilde (Baldauf) Bullman and daughter, Patricia Smiley. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Maudie; son, Greg; daughter-in-law, Donna; his brother, Rudy Bullman; sister, Susan Cann; his wife’s daughters (whom he considered his own),  Mary Carroll Lewis and Emily Copus; grandchildren, Brett Bullman, Tyler and CJ Smiley, Christian, Caleb, Silas, and Chloe Lewis, and Caley Grace Copus.

Lon volunteered at HabiJax and was active in organ donation awareness. He would be honored if you would choose to volunteer or give a monetary donation to HabiJax in memory of him. Additionally, would you consider organ donation? Lon received a new heart in 1997 and we all received 18 more rich years with him because of a generous organ donor.

The world is a better place because of Lon.

A gathering of friends and family will be held at the family home on Sunday, Dec. 27 from 1-4pm. Please see the funeral home’s website for more details on the gathering.