Col. (Ret.) Edward E. Mutch

Col. (Ret.) Edward E. Mutch

June 4, 1933 – February 8, 2024

Ed Mutch passed away peacefully on February 8, 2024. He was laid to rest with full military honors February 10, 2024, in the Bellevue Cemetery.

Ed was born June 4, 1933, at home in Lynwood, California. The first 20 years of his life were all spent in southern California. Most of his childhood was on an orange ranch in Fillmore, also spending time in McKittrick and Taft. After graduating from high school, he turned down a swimming scholarship to UCLA to join the Air Force. While stationed at Castle AFB in Merced he met the love of his life, Jerolyn, who was working there also. They married February 16, 1957, and had two daughters, Debbie and Susan. They left California in 1963 and were stationed in several parts of the country and Ed served multiple deployments including Korea and Vietnam. Early on he was involved with the B-52 bomber operations and later become involved with intelligence. After 24 years of military service, Ed retired as the Director of Reconnaissance at SAC Headquarters.

Upon his Air Force retirement, he returned to school earning his second degree at the University of Nebraska-Omaha and began teaching sixth grade at Twin Ridge Elementary School in Bellevue. He was a mentor and role model throughout his 16 years of teaching. He possessed a quiet dignity that inspired respect and admiration from his students. He expected his students to do their best and they did. Many of his students followed in his footsteps, becoming teachers themselves or pursuing careers in the military.

Ed discovered his love for music when he was asked to become a member of the Avery Church Choir. He had a hidden theatrical side that came out when he started to sing with The Sarpy Serenaders and the aptly named Yesterday’s Kids Barbershop Choruses. They sang at various functions, including ball games, retirement homes, and concerts. He loved to perform and made many good friends.

One of the things he will be remembered for was his love for animals. They weren’t just pets; they were members of the family. In 1968, Ed surprised his daughters by buying them their first horse. They were supposed to share him and go on short rides in the country. That didn’t last long. A couple years later, there were multiple horses and a horse trailer so Ed could haul them to horse shows on weekends. He was now a full-fledged horse show dad. His golf hobby was a thing of the past. At home, he enjoyed watching and feeding the birds, squirrels, deer, and whatever else happened through their large yard.

He was a leader, an honorable man, and a gentle soul. He spoke softly, but when he talked everyone listened. He commanded respect without ever demanding it. He left the world a better place when he went to join Jerrie in heaven. He will be missed dearly, but it comforts our hearts knowing they are together again.

Celebration of Life: Saturday, March 30th, at 2 p.m., at Avery Presbyterian Church, 1910 Avery Rd., Bellevue, NE.

Memorials are suggested to a charity benefiting animals or the Alzheimer’s Association.