John Mark Pullen

John Mark Pullen, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, teacher, and friend, passed away on July 6, 2025, after a two-month battle with sepsis. Known to family and colleagues simply as Mark, he was born in Morgantown, West Virginia, on September 19, 1947, and lived a remarkable life of service, intellect, music, and love.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Cheryl Rebecca Calhoun Pullen of Shepherdstown, WV; his daughter, Jennifer (Rusty) Merritt of Pocomoke, MD; his son, Jonathan Pullen of Seattle, WA; and his grandson, Chihiro Pittson of Newark, DE. He is also lovingly remembered by his sister, Sharon (Aubrey W.) Pullen Turner of Versailles, KY; his brothers, David Brock (Rubye Elizabeth) of North Augusta, SC, and Bruce Allen (Elaine Burgess) of Lake Charles, LA, as well as a sister-in-laws and brother in-laws Barbara and Robert Lloyd of Morgantown, WV and Roger and Mary Sue Calhoun of Letart, WV. He leaves behind nieces and nephews Brock Turner of Portland, OR, Martin (Alexandra Zaleta) Turner of Philadelphia, PA, Karen (Sean Heineman) Turner of Lexington, KY, Lt. Col. Laura (Adam) Robinson of Elizabethtown, KY, Daniel (Jacqueline) Pullen of Walteerboro, SC, Kenneth Pullen of Green Pond, SC, David (Nicole) Pullen of Converse, TX and Greg (Stacy) Pullen of Wilmington, NC, Amy (Jamie) Williams and Timothy (Terah) Calhoun of Nitro, WV as well as twenty one great-nephews and nieces and two great-great-nieces. He was predeceased by his parents, George Brock Pullen and Anna Lee Hopkins Pullen.

Mark earned his B.S. (1970) and M.S. (1972) in Engineering from West Virginia University,and later completed his Doctor of Science in Computer Engineering at George Washington University in 1981. After his graduation from WVU, he embarked on a distinguished 21-year career in the U.S. Army, focusing on computer research and systems development for the Department of Defense. He served as Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point (1983-85), and retired from the Army in 1993 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, having been awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal.

Mark also contributed to national policy as an IEEE Congressional Fellow (1985-86), supporting legislation for computer security and technology standards. In 1991, he was named an IEEE Fellow “for technical leadership in computing systems and networking,” and in 1995, he received the IEEE Harry Diamond Memorial Award for his pioneering work in distributed simulation and command-and-control networks.

Following his military retirement, Mark joined the faculty at George Mason University, where he became Professor of Computer Science and Director of the C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computing, and Intelligence) Center. His leadership helped the center grow tenfold in funding and reputation. He led innovative research in simulation interoperability, medical visualization, networked education, and coalition command systems, contributing to major NATO initiatives and U.S. Army projects. He also developed Network EducationWare, an open-source platform for synchronous online education, and used it to launch accessible graduate programs for students worldwide. Throughout his academic career, Mark combined rigorous scholarship with mentorship and a vision for technology’s potential to improve collaboration, education, and defense.

Beyond his professional achievements, Mark was an accomplished pianist and vocalist. He shared his love of music as a longtime member of the choir and a cherished quartet at Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church. He also found joy in travel, exploring the world on both professional and family adventures, and cherished the time spent with loved ones near and far.

Mark’s brilliant mind, steady leadership, quiet humor, and warm heart enriched the lives of everyone he met. His boundless curiosity and passion for living made the world brighter, and his absence will be deeply felt.

He will be missed beyond measure, lovingly remembered, and forever honored by all who knew and loved him.

A Celebration of Life service was planned for Saturday, August 2nd, 2025 at 2 pm at the Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church at 100 W Washington St, Shepherdstown, WV, with a pot luck dinner to follow in the social hall.

Correspondence may be sent to Cheryl Pullen at PO Box 1608, Shepherdstown, WV, 25443. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church at the address above or shepherdstownpresbyterian.org, or to coalfielddevelopment.org/community-based-revitalization-projects/.