August 27, 1930 – February 22, 2022

Ulman D. McMullen, beloved husband, father and grandfather, retired broadcast executive and longtime resident of Bryan-College Station, died February 22, 2022 after a long illness. He was 91 years old.

Affectionately known as “Mr. Mac”, he served as COO and then General Manager of KBTX-TV. He also held stakes in local radio and television stations and was well known in the local business community.

Mr. McMullen was born August 27, 1930 in rural East Texas to Wood and Aline McMullen. The youngest of four brothers, he was a graduate of Lufkin High School and Stephen F. Austin State University. After working in the timber industry and as a teacher, he began his career in broadcasting as a disc jockey with radio station KSPL in Diboll. He moved to television as a newscaster and weatherman at KXII in Sherman. He joined KBTX-TV in 1965.

At KBTX, Mr. McMullen oversaw the station’s on-air news and operations and oversaw many improvements, increasing the station’s technical capabilities and the professionalism of its news operations in front of and behind the cameras. He was respected by his colleagues and those who worked for him for his calm judgment in a very stressful industry. In 1987, he was named the station’s second general manager. He left KBTX in 1991 to own radio station KMBV/KWBC in Navasota.

During his career, Mr. McMullen has met and interviewed many celebrities and political figures. He was an avid golfer and a fan of old western movies and an admirer of classic American cars. He was an active member of two local churches, Christ United Methodist and A&M United Methodist.

He was proud of the family he grew up in, but he was proudest of the family he helped raise, who remain to mourn and cherish his memory.

He was predeceased by his parents and brothers. He is survived by his wife, Sylvia McMullen; two sons, Cary McMullen (his wife, Evelyn) of Lakeland, Florida, and Michael McMullen (his wife, Rosemary) of The Woodlands; three daughters, Sara McMullen of Bryan, Cynthia McMullen of Boston MA and Lori Hawkins of Shreveport, LA.; four grandchildren, Kelli Jacob (her husband, Jeff) of Conroe, Russell McMullen (his wife, Amanda) of Charlotte, NC, Grace McMullen of Winston-Salem, NC, and Quinn McMullen of Bryan; and two great-grandchildren, Audrey and Kate Schilling of Conroe.

A Celebration of Life service is scheduled for Thursday, March 3, 2022 at 2 p.m. at A&M United Methodist Church, College Station. Visits will follow the service in the Great Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brazos Valley Food Bank, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, The Bryan or the College Station Educational Foundation.

Special seats will be reserved for all KBTX alumni and employees or those who worked for Mr. Mac.

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