Noted horseman dies at 81

Paul Bulmahn [Photo courtesy FTBOA]

Theodore Paul Bulmahn, age 81, passed away on Nov. 11, 2025, in Ocala.

Bulmahn was born Nov. 16, 1943, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Henry and Velma Bulmahn. He graduated from Concordia Lutheran High School in 1961, then went on to earn a B.A. from Valparaiso University, an M.A. from the University of Texas, and a J.D. from Texas State University.

A man of tremendous drive and vision, Paul was the builder and owner of Gold Mark Farm. Before that, he was the founder and CEO of ATP Oil and Gas Corporation in Houston, Texas. Under his leadership, the company received the Offshore Energy Achievement Award for Innovation and Technology and he was honored as the 2000 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

Bulmahn’s lifelong love of horses shaped much of his later life. He developed Gold Mark Farm into a premier property for racehorses and took great pride in seeing two of his horses compete in the Kentucky Derby.

He is survived by his wife, Janelle; her sons, Ryan and Alex Mertins; his mother-in-law, JoAnn Hutsler; his three sisters, Rita Wiese, Orpha Weber and Irma List; and 14 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Sorenson Bulmahn; his parents, Henry and Velma Bulmahn; and his brother, David Bulmahn.

Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. Dec. 7 at Gold Mark Farm, 5290 NW 130th Ave., Ocala, with Bulmahn’s nephew and godson, the Rev. Edmund J. Weber, officiating. Refreshments will be served following the service. As the service will take place outdoors, the family suggests wearing boots or outdoor-appropriate footwear.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which was born from the tragedy of 9/11, by visiting t2t.org

To learn more, visit robertsfunerals.com/obituaries/theodore-bulmahn/#!/TributeWall