Eric Mullen

ERIC WILLIAM MULLEN

Cedar Rapids

Eric W. Mullen, 26, of Alpharetta, Ga., previously of Cedar Rapids, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. There will be no service at this time. A celebration of life event will be announced at a later date.

Eric William Mullen was born May 22, 1992, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of Larry William and Kathleen Anne (Conzett) Mullen. Eric was a member of Venture Crew 2000 and a 2010 graduate of Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids. Eric attended Iowa State University and Clinton Community College, earning an engineering technical associate's degree. He worked as an electrician apprentice at IBEW Local 405 in Cedar Rapids.

Eric was a very bright, sensitive, compassionate, caring young man who derived much pleasure from helping others and by spending time in nature. He was very active in hiking, backpacking, camping and found much peace while traveling through the wilderness. In the spring of 2018, Eric relocated to Alpharetta, where he was looking forward to starting a new life. Eric was accepted at Kennesaw State University, where he was going to finish his bachelor's degree in engineering. He had already found several good hiking locations which he and his mother enjoyed together. He also enjoyed working with the local Atlanta band, A1A, which his mother, Kathy Mullen manages. He loved spending time with family and friends.

Certain people carry an unexplainable light attracting others who are in need and bring them up with something as simple as a hello or a smile. Eric carried this light in an honorable, comfortable and unselfish way. Look for him in smiles...

Through Eric's charitable gift of being an organ donor, we were able to save the lives of five people through the donation of his lungs, liver, kidneys and heart. In addition to that, we were able to provide a pancreas, corneas (requested to go to a little boy who was born blind) and tissue for burn victims.

Eric is survived by his mother, Kathy Mullen of Alpharetta; maternal grandparents, Annette and Bob Conzett of Clinton; paternal stepgrandmother, Alice (Lynn) Mullen of Camanche; aunt, Kimberly (David) Behr of North Liberty: uncle, Rich Mullen of Corvallis, Ore.; and several cousins.

Eric was preceded in death by his father; paternal grandfather and grandmother; and his uncle, Bobby Conzett.

Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes and Crematory is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting his obituary at www.snellzornig.com.

A non-profit organization in Eric's name to benefit suicide awareness, addiction, mental health care and organ donation will be set up in the coming months. To receive more information, please e-mail Kathy Mullen at kemullen@mchsi.com.