Kenneth Michael "Mike" Cull Obituary (1948

Kenneth Michael Cull departed this life peacefully March 21, 2023, at home in Midlothian, Texas with his loving family by his side. Kenneth, more commonly known as Mike or Mickey to most, was born to Glenn Harold Cull and Telitha Celestine Shuey Cull, on March 7, 1948, in Kansas City, Missouri. His family relocated to Dallas, Texas just one month after his birth. He grew up in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas, where he enjoyed and excelled in sports. His favorite sport was baseball, although he was also especially fond of track and football. He is a proud Kimball High School class of `66 graduate. Following High School, Mike attended Dallas Baptist College while simultaneously managing the Mobil gas station on the corner of Kiest and Westmoreland in Oak Cliff. He met the "girl next door" in 1968, shortly after her family moved to Oak Cliff, and married her the following year. He then graduated with a business and accounting degree from Dallas Baptist College in 1971. After graduation he accepted a sales position with William Volker and Co., selling furniture, carpet, and linoleum. His sales territory covered all of South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, and Nebraska. Therefore, he and Carol moved to Sioux City, Iowa. While in Iowa they had their first son, Chad. Mike's success in his job allowed him and his new family the opportunity to move back to Texas, this time settling in Conroe. It was here they had their second son Ryan. At age two, Ryan was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. In pursuit of the best health care for Ryan, Mike decided to give up his traveling sales position and move back close to family in the DFW Metroplex. He and Carol settled in Midlothian, and Mike went to work with Ridgeway Mailing Co. in Dallas. In this new position he learned the printing and mailing trade. When his boss eventually decided to phase out the printing side of the business, he assisted Mike in setting up his own printing company, known as Reliable Printing and Mailing, in Duncanville. This small business grew and evolved into a corporation encompassing three separate entities (Reliable Printing and Mailing Co., Gingerbread Press, and Funtime Products). For Mike it was a forty year endeavor of love, with plenty of blood, sweat, and tears along the way. He sold his beloved business in 2020 and set out to enjoy his remaining years spending time with family and friends. Mike is survived by his wife, Carol Leibfarth Cull, son Chad Cull and partner Bobbie Duke, son Richard Pena and wife Jennifer Pena, sister Beverly Cull von Helms, niece Tamara Mergener, her husband Adam and their daughters Tadam Mergener Conroy and Tarin Mergener, nephew Todd von Helms, his wife Caroline and their sons Hunter and Jake von Helms, sister in law Jeannie Ballard-West, her husband Rick West, nephew Dylan Ballard, his son Ryan, and niece Hannah West. Grandchildren: Andrew Duke, Chad Pena, Nicholas Pena, Presley Pena, Corbin Milholen, and Landen Milholen. He is preceded in death by his parents Glenn and Celestine Cull, sister Carolyn Sue Cull Turner Easterwood, son Ryan Cull and niece Nikki Ballard. Mike was the kindest and most outgoing of men. He "never met a stranger" and loved to talk. He genuinely loved people and enjoyed making new friends wherever he went. He and Carol were part of a motorcycle club for many years, allowing Mike to travel all over the country and talk people's ears off in every state along the way. He was a selfless man, always placing the well-being of others before his own. Even at the most vulnerable point of his illness, just a couple days before he passed away, he was only worried about the well-being of Carol, Chad, and Richard. Mike truly enjoyed "helping people". We, the family, hope the memory of Mike will live on and continue to help all who knew him. Upon completion of the funeral service at Midlothian Funeral Home and interment at Laurel Land Cemetery in Dallas, a reception will be held at the home of Richard and Jennifer Pena: 401 Whispering Willow Drive, Midlothian, TX 76065.