James Aaron MULLINS

MULLINS, CHAMBERS, ZINN, MPOFU, JONES, SHIPMAN, PALS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/22/2010 at 10:59:41

October 25, 1933 -- September 26, 2007

James Mullins embraced life…the places, the challenges and, most specially, the people. He made everyone he met feel valued. In return, they valued Jim as a friend, a mentor, and a leader, even in times of disagreement. Jim’s faith directed his life and his approach to the world and all it holds. He died as he lived, with dignity and humor and grace.

James Aaron Mullins was born Oct. 25, 1933, to John O. and Helen (Chambers) Mullins on a farm north of Corwith, Iowa. He graduated from the Corwith High School. Following graduation with a degree in Ag Journalism from Iowa State College in 1955, Jim served four years as a fighter pilot in the USAF. He returned to his family’s farm across the section from his birthplace and farmed, retired and lived there until his death on Sept. 26, 2007.

Jim used to tell strangers that he was “just a farmer”. But a write-up of his agriculture contributions in the February 6, 1994 Des Moines Register was headlined, “Farm Leader for Iowa, America, the World”. The sub-headline stated, “When Corwith’s Jim Mullins talks, power brokers and policy makers listen”. He was chairman of the National Livestock and Meat Board, a leader in the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, the Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Development Commission. He traveled the world in service to his industry. Additionally, Jim represented farmers on the Farm Credit Association locally, regionally and nationally. Jim was an active Corwith community member. He served on the boards of the Corwith-Wesley school board and the Corwith Community COOP and chaired the Corwith United Methodist Church Council for many years. He was an active member of the Elmer Wilson Post #229 of the American Legion in Corwith.

Jim and Sue B. Mullins celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last year. In retirement, they enjoyed visiting their children, grandchildren and many friends in the United States and abroad. Jim is survived by his wife and friend, Sue; by children Michael Mullins and Gesa Zinn (Duluth, MN), Daniel Mullins and Joyce Mpofu (Johannesburg, South Africa) and Jennifer and Matt Jones (Windsor, CO). The lights of his life were grandchildren, Riley and Rachel Jones, Saskia Zinn and Mikki Mullins. Also surviving are brothers, Tom Mullins and wife, Victoria, Pinetop, AZ, Rich Mullins and wife, Jan, Pinetop, AZ, Bill Mullins and wife, Jan, Algona, IA and sisters, Betty Shipman, Corwith, IA and Marlys Pals and husband, Dave, Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Jim will be remembered in the startling white of a new calf’s blaze, the wonders of sunrise and sunset, the smell of spring soil, the wind whispering through pines, the tumbling of mountain streams, the growl of a leopard, the crackle of harvest-ready corn leaves, the glory of God’s night sky and warm hugs.

Family and friends will celebrate Jim’s life at a memorial service on Sunday, Sept. 30 at 2:00 P.M. at the Corwith United Methodist Church, with visitation from 1:00-2:00 P.M. Memorial gifts will be given to the United Methodist Global HIV/AIDS fund, the Mayo Pancreatic Cancer Research Project and Hospice of the Heartland.
Inurnment: Corwith Cemetery ~ Corwith, IA

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