John Basil McMullen

John Basil McMullen of Lapeer, Michigan passed away on Sunday, July 7, 2024 at 96 years of age. Mr. McMullen was born April 3, 1928, in Flint, Michigan. After graduating from Flint Northern High School, John met and married Dora Dean in 1948. John and Dora were married for 64 years. Following high school, Mr. McMullen attended Michigan State University and entered the workforce as a Milkman for Artie Seal Test Dairy. Soon after, John switched careers to become a car salesman at Summerfield Chevrolet, in Flint, Michigan. Working his way up from Sales Manager to General Manager, Mr. McMullen joined Frank Audette as a partner in opening Audette Pontiac. After years working together, John took over the Summerfield dealership and renamed it Somerset Pontiac GMC, which is now the Somerset Buick GMC located in Troy, Michigan. Sparking his passion for all things automotive, John McMullen opened several dealerships with the Pontiac line. Mr. McMullen served on the General Motors Dealer Council and was President of the Metro Pontiac-GMC Dealers. John was an avid collector of antique and classic cars and had one of the most prestigious collections in the country. As recognition of his contributions, Mr. McMullen has been honored with a dedicated theatre in the Pontiac Transportation Museum in Pontiac, Michigan. John enjoyed spending time with friends and family, golfing, boat racing, hunting and touring his antique cars. A man of many accomplishments even within his hobbies, John McMullen won the National Hi Point award at the 1965 world championships for X Hydroplane boat racing, with his M-14, "Hustler," and he had the world's record for the blown alcohol class at 171.10mph with "The Sting." John McMullen is preceded in Death by his wife Dora (2012), parents John Basil and Muriel R. McMullen, sisters Marion R. (Albert C.) Young, Arlene J. (Daniel D.) Hayes, and Vivian L. (Ronald T.) Heidel. Mr. McMullen is survived by his two children Linda Kay Daniels and John McMullen III, five grandchildren, Cassandra Zetz, Shannon Daniels, Megan (Ernesto) Torres, Lauren McMullen and Taylor McMullen and his two great-grandchildren, Gavin Zetz and Sidney Zetz – He will be remembered as a kind, loving and patient father and grandfather. Services will be private at the request of the family. Funeral service have been entrusted to Muir Brothers Funeral Home in Lapeer. In lieu of flowers, all donations can be made to The Pontiac Transportation Museum at 112 Cherokee, Pontiac, MI 48341. Please share condolences and memories with the family at:

www.MuirBrothersLapeer.com.