John “Red Dog” Sommer Mueller
Scottsdale, AZ - John "Red Dog" Sommer Mueller, of Scottsdale, AZ, and St. Helena, CA, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 2, 2021, at the age of 91. He was a man of great faith and put his trust in the Lord. He lived a life of service and will be remembered for his gentle spirit and kind, loving heart. John was born on May 14, 1930, in Peoria, Illinois, to Victor J. Mueller and Louise (Sommer) Mueller. He attended Columbia Grade School, Peoria High School (1948) and graduated from the University of Arizona with a B.S. in Business Administration (1952). John was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, where he was the House Manager and earned his nickname "Red Dog", because of his red hair. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. Assigned to the 18th Motor Vehicle Squadron/18th Fighter Bomber Wing, he was posted to an airbase in Osan, Korea. While overseas he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and awarded the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and National Defense Service Medal. John joined Laidlaw Corporation as a Field Salesman following his honorable discharge from the Air Force. Laidlaw was founded in 1917 ...[more]View Full Online Obituary and Tributes
a producer of baling wire. In 1931 the company was purchased by his father Victor, an immigrant from Switzerland. Over time, the company greatly expanded its business, adding wire garment hangers in 1932, flyswatters in 1937 and ultimately paper products and chemicals for the dry-cleaning industry. Upon the death of his father in 1960, John became President and CEO of Laidlaw. For years, Laidlaw was the world's largest manufacturer of flyswatters, selling a million a month. He continued to oversee the company as Chairman until 2006. John cared deeply for his employees and business partners; many of whom became lifelong friends. He inspired others and led with integrity, honesty, and loyalty. John was instrumental in founding the American Wire Producers Association (AWPA) and was a strong voice in developing its vision and mission. He was passionate about the success of the U.S. industry and committed to building AWPA's leadership and presence in the global market. As President, he was highly respected as an industry leader and as a true gentleman by all who knew him. In 2005, he was awarded the influential Max Moore Entrepreneurial Spirit Award from the AWPA. In addition to his extensive industry leadership, John always found time to be active in his community, church, and served on numerous non-profit and for-profit boards for many notable organizations. As a dedicated Rotarian, he put into practice the principle of "Service above Self" to an unusual degree. He received many honors over the years, including Peoria's Outstanding Young Man of 1964 by the Jaycees; Man of the Month by the Peoria Rotary Club in 1966; and the Kiwanis Tri-County Citizen of the Year Award in 1966. John was a faithful servant of God and lived each day with courage, quiet strength, and humility. While blessed in many ways, he also overcame many challenges. He was preceded in death by his first wife Ann B. Gaskins who passed away from cancer at 42. John and Ann married on February 23, 1957, in Peoria, IL, had four children and always made life an adventure. When Ann was diagnosed with cancer, the family moved from Peoria to Tiburon, CA so Ann could be treated at UCSF. Many wonderful memories were created during the two years in California. Upon Ann's death, John and kids returned to Peoria where he met his second wife, Mary Lou Gieske, from Rochelle, IL. John and Mary Lou were married on April 9, 1977, in Tucson, AZ and the family moved to a working ranch in Black Canyon City to start the next chapter of life. John rode the fence lines with the sheriff, boarded horses and everyone learned the value of hard work. In 1983, they moved to Paradise Valley, AZ to be closer to Laidlaw's Headquarters, which had relocated to Scottsdale. Mary Lou passed away from cancer at age 52. John was also preceded in death by his son Eric G. Mueller, of Phoenix, AZ, by his daughter Elizabeth M. Gawlowski, of Bainbridge Island, WA, and by his sister Marilyn Prince, of Tucson, AZ. As Dad said at our mother's funeral, "I have tasted grief, but I will not have wasted this grief. It shall make me into a softer, gentler soul." Indeed, to all who truly knew him, he was a gentle soul. He showed that even crisis and tragedy could be endured with strength, grace, and equanimity. John was a proud Swiss citizen and loved Native American art and culture, music, history, the Arizona desert, Napa Valley, and wine. In 1996, John married Lois (Baker) Sundt. They traveled extensively and followed a dream of making wine in St. Helena, California. They named their vineyard "Hozhoni" a native American word that means beauty, peace, and harmony. They entertained many friends and enjoyed new friends they met through their travels, their grandchildren and two Weimaraners. John is survived by his wife Lois (Sundt) Mueller of Tucson, AZ; his daughters Amy Mueller and Mari Chazen (and husband Aron); son-in-law Richard Gawlowski; grandchildren, Attila (and wife Ashley) Mueller, Damien Mueller, and Brooke Mueller; Brendan (and wife Sierra) Gawlowski and Katherine Gawlowski; Samuel Chazen and Ann Chazen; and his sister Patsy Sandman. John maintained deep and affectionate bonds with family, especially his last years, spending time with his children, grandchildren, old and new friends; all of whom filled him with joy. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice. Some of his favorite charities were The Salvation Army, The Phoenix Chorale and Paws for Purple Hearts. John's family wishes to extend our deepest gratitude to Gina Kie and the staff and friends of Maravilla for their compassion and friendship. He will be deeply missed but his strength and character will always live on in our hearts.
