David Paul Mullard

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - David Paul Mullard, 39, of El Cajon, California, lost his courageous battle to cancer at University of California San Diego Hospital in San Diego on Sept. 29, 2024.

He was born on Jan. 25, 1985, to Paul and Joyce Mullard during a snowstorm in Ashland, Wisconsin. He grew up in Hurley, Wisconsin, and graduated from Hurley High School in 2003.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in October 2003. After basic training, David became an information technology (IT) specialist and was stationed in Guam for three years, then Japan for nine years. While in Japan, he met the love of his life, Jemma, and served on the U.S.S. Patriot (a minesweeper built in Marinette, Wisconsin). He also served on the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan and U.S.S. George Washington. He was in Japan when the 9.1 earthquake hit in 2011.

After returning stateside in 2016, David was stationed in San Diego. He was honorably discharged in 2021 and began his journey fighting cancer. He continued his career as an IT security manager as a civilian for the U.S. Navy.

David married Jemma Fronda on Jan. 03, 2017, in Bessemer, Michigan.

He is survived by his wife, Jemma; children, Curtis, Pryce and Erin at home; along with his parents, Paul and Joyce of Hurley; sister Liz of Appleton, Wisconsin; niece Jasmine of Oshkosh, Wisconsin; nephew Larry of Hurley; many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends; and his comfort dog, Scooby.

He is preceded in death by his sister, Jennifer, in 1974; and his paternal and maternal grandparents.

David lived his 39 years to the fullest and has travelled around the world. A few of his favorite places were Italy, Dubai, Singapore and the Philippines.

A memorial service with military honors was held in El Cajon on Oct. 4 at East County Mortuary.

A memorial service will be held on Oct.19 at the Iron County Senior Center, 308 3rd Ave. S. Hurley, Wisconsin. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to noon, and a brief memorial service with military honors will be held at noon with a luncheon to follow until 3 p.m.

In accordance with David's wishes, cremation has taken place.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the family to help with funeral expenses and travel to and from California and Wisconsin.

A special thanks to the N65 Department employees who donated leave time to David while he was in the hospital and to the UCSD ICU team for taking care of David and his family.