(From Parker Mortuary)Adolph R. Mueller, Jr., M.D., age 92, of Joplin, passed away on December 2, 2025. Born January 17, 1933, in St. Louis, Missouri, he moved to Leavenworth, Kansas, where his father was stationed with the U.S. Army when he was 9 years old.
Preceding him in death were his father, Adolph R. Mueller, Sr., M.D., mother, Viola Claudia Ruth Curry Mueller, and sister, Carolyn Louise Mueller Willingham.
A member of the Leavenworth, Kansas, High School class of 1951, he is remembered for his speed and dexterity as he won state in both high and low hurdles. One record will never be broken because it was measured in yards, instead of meters. He was an Eagle Scout. Adolph attended the University of Kansas on a track scholarship and graduated in 1955 with a B.S. in Zoology and met his wife, Judy. He graduated from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 1959. A rotating Internship at Doctor’s Hospital in Seattle, Washington was completed in 1960 and an Air Force-sponsored Residency in Orthopeadics at the University of Oklahoma was completed in 1966.
Military service began in 1960, and he was a flight surgeon in the U.S. Air Force. He served at Niagara Falls Air Force Base in New York, Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, Texas, and at Scott Air Force Base in Belleville, Illinois, as well as serving a year in Vietnam. Lt. Col. Mueller’s military duty ended in 1971. He was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service as USAF hospital chief of orthopedics in Vietnam, an Air Medal, and a small arms expert marksmanship ribbon among others.
Dr. Mueller has resided in Joplin since 1971, when he came to join the orthopedic practice of Dr. Ned Chase. He loved practicing medicine and was committed to excellence in his work. He belonged to many medical groups: Orthopaedic Academy, Missouri Orthopaedists, Oklahoma Orthopaedists, The American College of Surgeons, The Midwest College of Surgeons, the Springfield area group of surgeons. He served as president of the Jasper County Medical Society and was on the Board of Directors of St. John’s Hospital.
Retirement came in 1994, when he was able to enjoy all shooting sports. Before that he had coached near-Olympic shooter, Mike English, and his brother, Butch, along with another excellent shooter, James Severin and others. Having given up tennis, golf, fly-tying, bowling, and square dancing, Dr. Mueller eventually settled on hobbies of woodworking and shooting competitively. Many trophies adorned the shelves of his den. He was an expert helper with cars for Cub Scout Pinewood Derbies. For two and a half years after the 2011 tornado he worked with Greg Huff to rebuild his home on West 32nd Street.
Military service began in 1960, and he was a flight surgeon in the U.S. Air Force. He served at Niagara Falls Air Force Base in New York, Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, Texas, and at Scott Air Force Base in Belleville, Illinois, as well as serving a year in Vietnam. Lt. Col. Mueller’s military duty ended in 1971. He was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service as USAF hospital chief of orthopedics in Vietnam, an Air Medal, and a small arms expert marksmanship ribbon among others.
Dr. Mueller has resided in Joplin since 1971, when he came to join the orthopedic practice of Dr. Ned Chase. He loved practicing medicine and was committed to excellence in his work. He belonged to many medical groups: Orthopaedic Academy, Missouri Orthopaedists, Oklahoma Orthopaedists, The American College of Surgeons, The Midwest College of Surgeons, the Springfield area group of surgeons. He served as president of the Jasper County Medical Society and was on the Board of Directors of St. John’s Hospital.
Retirement came in 1994, when he was able to enjoy all shooting sports. Before that he had coached near-Olympic shooter, Mike English, and his brother, Butch, along with another excellent shooter, James Severin and others. Having given up tennis, golf, fly-tying, bowling, and square dancing, Dr. Mueller eventually settled on hobbies of woodworking and shooting competitively. Many trophies adorned the shelves of his den. He was an expert helper with cars for Cub Scout Pinewood Derbies. For two and a half years after the 2011 tornado he worked with Greg Huff to rebuild his home on West 32nd Street.
He was an elder and a deacon in the First Presbyterian Church of Joplin. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Scottish Rite in Ft. Worth, Texas, and a 50-year member of the Scottish Rite in Joplin. He also was a life member of Spiva Art Center, Joplin Little Theatre, and Joplin Historical Society. He and his wife traveled extensively. He visited 40 countries and all 7 continents. Dr. Mueller and his wife took each 12-year-old grandchild on memorable trips abroad. The purchase of their first RV in 1989 turned their focus to United States travel, which they enjoyed for 21 years, visiting all 50 states.
He is survived by his wife, Judith Morgan Mueller. They were married on August 26, 1956, in Newton, Kansas, and celebrated 69 years together. Also surviving are their five children: Andy Mueller (Beth), Helen Cauthen (Jim), Marcia Everson (Rick), Charles Mueller (Jane), and Cameron Mueller (Jeanne). Grandchildren are Austin Mueller, Mashelle Moore (David), Sarah McCormick (Ben), Will Cauthen (Kellie), Patrick Everson (Riley), Elizabeth Nazzal (Matt) and Allison Murray (A.J.), Hannah Regan (Jacob), Caitlin Malott (Matt), Sarah Mueller, and Megan Mueller. There also are ten great-grandchildren (and one on the way) and a niece and nephew, Viola and John Willingham.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 8, 2025 at the First Presbyterian Church, 509 South Pearl Avenue in Joplin at 1:00 PM. Visitation will follow in John Knox Hall.
Internment will take place at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton, Kansas at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider gifts to the First Presbyterian Church, Mercy Hospital, or a shooting organization.
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