James Owen Mullin

James O. Mullin (“Jim”, “Dad”, “Papa” & “Ol’ Jim”) was born in Delaware on October 22, 1930. His parents were John “Nip” Mullin and Ada Quillen. As a young child the family moved to Taylorville, Illinois. Jim graduated from Taylorville High School, having served as senior class president, played clarinet in the band and a member of the golf team. He started college at Syracuse University but finished college at Millikan University in Decatur, Illinois.

Jim was a character who had character. He was interested in people and could engage anyone in conversation. If he didn’t know anything about a topic he would research and learn about it. He was humble, loving, strong, encouraging and a great storyteller ready with a corny joke!

He was a role model for friends and family demonstrating the attributes of integrity, honesty, commitment and generosity.

Jim married Elizabeth Blakley in early 1953 after receiving his draft notice. After basic training, he and Liz lived in Baltimore and Washington DC as Jim was assigned to the Army Central Intelligence Corp. Jim and Liz had two children, Janice Lynn and James Richard.

Jim had dreamed of being a photographer before he served in the military but with a family he pursued a career in sales. The family moved about nine times before Janice was in the first grade. Once the kids were in school, Jim’s career was influenced by his love of family. More than once, he delayed or did not accept advancement in his career, so the family would stay in one place.

Jim was widowed after 42 years of marriage. He married Kathy Kelley from California in November of 1996. Jim was the love of Kathy’s life and her BFF for almost 27 years! He was an example of a dedicated husband. He was committed to his partner, loved sacrificially, and strived to protect from any hurt.

Travel was a major part of his career as a regional sales manager for parts manufacturer of farm implements. His territory was the Midwest and West to Utah. He still loved adventure and the family summer vacation was a highlight of the year. The vacations were not tightly scheduled to allow time to strike off into sugar cane fields in search of a shortcut up the island or an impromptu picnic with the bears in Yellowstone. Maui was the favored family destination for over 30 years.

Trains were a lifelong interest for Jim. He built an HO gauge train village in the basement; created an annual Christmas Village display of at least four trains for the enjoyment of grandchildren, neighbor kids and adults; and, had a substantial collection of train photos in his art display. In addition, he built doll houses, furniture and an unusual replacement for missing tent poles.

Photography became the heart of his retirement. He and Kathy travelled throughout the Midwest to art shows to display and sell their photos. They had a wide variety of subjects: flowers, animals, insects, landscapes, grist mills, barns, covered bridges and outhouses. He stayed true to 35mm film. Until his 80th birthday when his children gifted him a digital camera. He used his photography to comfort families after a loss by creating a photo of the first bloom on a tree or bush planted by the family.

Jim will be missed by his wife, Kathy, his children and their spouses, Janice Lynn (Richard) Sipe and James Richard (Dana) Mullin; his grandchildren and their spouses, Stephanie (Lance) Lopez, Adam (Courtney) Sipe, Ali (Thomas) Ecklund and Makenzie Mullin; his great-grandchildren, Vera Ann Sipe, Jax James Lopez, Cruz Giovanni Lopez, Scottie James Ecklund, Charlotte Carter Eklund step children, Troy (Cathy) Kelley and Kerri Kelley, brother-in-law James (Linda) Blakley; brother-in-law Richard (Maggie) Cooks; sister-in-law Susan Gott and many nieces, nephews and friends.

In life and now death, Jim wouldn’t want family and friends to focus on sadness and sorrow. Rather he would tell us to support each other and continue to reflect his legacy.

Jim left this life peacefully surrounded by family, on June 10, 2023, after a long battle and 30 days under hospice care. The family would like to thank the Woodbridge neighbors for their wonderful support during his 4 ½ year battle and all of the Amedisys Hospice staff for their kind and compassionate care, especially Nurse Rebecca and care worker Janae.

Jim was a member of the John Knox Kirk for 61 years. His celebration of life service will be at the Kirk, 11430 Wornall Rd., Kansas City, Missouri on June 21, 2023, at 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to Amedisys Hospice, the John Knox Kirk or Boys Town in memory of Jim Mullin.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” –Dr. Maya Angelou