After graduating with a BA degree in Economics, he proudly served as a Lieutenant for the Navy in the Korean War for four years. Afterwards, he began his sales career with Armco Steel in Birmingham, MI. John ultimately started his own company, Mulford Enterprises, a steel brokerage firm in Knoxville, TN.

In 1958, John met Natalie Caldwell Burton at an Ohio State – Michigan football game. They were married in Biltmore Forest, NC and went on to have four children, John Deming III, Burton Naylor, Priscilla Lynn and David Whitney. They lived in Birmingham, MI, Webster Groves, MO, Charlotte, NC, Dunwoody, GA, Knoxville, TN and Delray Beach, FL.

John was particularly fond of Delray Beach, FL, where his parents had bought an apartment at The Grosvenor House in the 1960’s. He served as President of the Board for the Homeowners’ Association and was most relaxed swimming laps in the property’s spectacular pool.

Later in life, John reconnected with a former girlfriend, Lee Phillip Bell, and moved to Beverly Hills, CA. John and Lee were very active in the entertainment community and spent their weekends in the Malibu Colony. They were active members of Malibu Presbyterian Church. In 2018 they celebrated “180 Years of Lee and John” with a magnificent joint birthday bash at the Bel Air Country Club. Subsequent to Lee’s death in 2020, John moved to Charlotte, NC to be closer to his children and grandchildren.

During his time in Charlotte, John lived at The Cypress of Charlotte and enthusiastically attended his grandsons’ football and basketball games at Country Day and Myers Park High School. He was an avid swimmer and gym regular until early 2024.

John was the ultimate optimist with a positive outlook on life. His impeccable character and integrity are two of his most notable attributes. He was the quintessential gentleman, displayed a dashing sense of style and maintained an elegant demeanor. Those who knew John cannot forget his dedication to caring for others. He had been a longstanding volunteer for the Mended Hearts organization.

An ice cream enthusiast, John loved taking family and friends out for milkshakes, sundaes and root beer floats at vintage ice cream parlors such as Velvet Freeze, Biltmore Dairy and Swensen’s.

John was predeceased by his parents, John and Priscilla, and his first son, John III. He is survived by his ex-wife, Natalie, Burton and son-in-law Dean Hamric, Lynn and son-in-law Randy Kirchner, Whit, grandchildren, Jordan Ford and her husband, Connor Ford, Jay Kirchner, Mac Mulford, Wilson Mulford and Hobs Mulford and great grandson, Matthias Ford.

Services will be held at St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church in Blowing Rock, NC on Friday July 12, 2024 at 1:00 pm.