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James Mims '45 February 16, 2017 9:18 AM updated: October 28, 2018 12:21 PM

ELLIS FUNERAL HOME obituary
801 ANDREWS HIGHWAY, MIDLAND, TX 79701 | 432-683-5555

James Wycliffe Mims
October 18, 1923 - February 9, 2017

Visitation
Thursday, February 16, 2017 | 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Ellis Funeral Home
M
idland, Texas
Driving Directions

Visitation
Friday, February 17, 2017 | 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Ellis Funeral Home
Midland, Texas
Driving Directions

Funeral Service
Saturday, February 18, 2017 | 2:00 pm
First Baptist Church
Midland, Texas
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James Wycliffe Mims was born in Midland, Texas October 18, 1923, the son of Percy J. Mims, also a Midland native, and Maurine Littlejohn Mims who came to Midland from Tyler, to teach school. He graduated from Midland High School in 1941 and entered Texas A&M where he was a member of the Field Artillery Band. He entered the Army in January 1943, trained as a combat engineer, studied at Boston College in the Army Specialized Training Program, and then was sent to the Military Intelligence Training Center, Camp Ritchie, Maryland where he qualified as a Photo Interpreter. He was sent overseas in the summer of 1944, and was assigned to the 24th Infantry Division then at Hollandia, Dutch New Guinea. He made the assault landing on Leyte, Philippine Islands, October 20, 1944, and served on Mindoro, Lubang and Mindanao, P.I.

His father, Percy Mims died in May of 1945. James, following discharge from the service, in October of that year, entered the family insurance business, Mims & Crane, with his mother. This became Mims & Stephens when, in 1946, they were joined by Edwin L. Stephens, "Steve", of Dallas. Steve became one of his best, lifelong friends. James loved serving people and did it with integrity for the many years he was involved in the business. He appreciated the folks who traded with him, as well as, the many wonderful people who worked alongside him in the business. One of his greatest joys was when his son, David, later joined him in the business.

James married Mary Alice Bell, of Rankin, on November 25, 1947. To the union was born son James David Mims, and daughters Nancy Jo Mims Geers, and Martha Lea Mims Manulik. There are also five grandchildren, Mik Manulik (wife Nicky) of Richmond Virginia, Morgan Manulik, (wife Elena) of Durango Colorado, and Mason Manulik (wife Haley) of Fort Worth and Allison Mims Greer (husband Henry) of Midland and Melanie Mims Curtis (husband Will) of Waco, and 12 great grandchildren. He was loved dearly by them all, and was lovingly referred to as "Paw Paw". He and Mary (Munner) loved their grandchildren and "greats" and were absolutely wonderful grandparents.

James joined the Midland Rotary Club in 1945 and the Midland Jaycees in 1946. He was a member of the Midland Masonic bodies, the VFW, and the First Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher for many years, and building and pulpit committee member. He served nine years on the Board of Trustees of Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, one year as chairman. In 1954-55 he served on the Midland City Council. He has been a director of the Problem Pregnancy Center, the Midland Centennial Commission in 1985, the Midland Industrial Foundation and the Midland Chamber of Commerce and was a founding director of the Western State bank.

His hobbies included reading, fly fishing, and model railroading. He was one of the best, at both his fishing and his model railroading. As his fishing buddies would say, he had an eye for the dry fly. His beautiful railroad layout that he lovingly crafted for over 50 years was carefully dismantled, about five years ago, by those friends who shared his passion for the art, and re-assembled at one of their homes. It is still, today, being enjoyed, used and added on to by his "railroading buddies". That gave him great pleasure.

He recently had a book published, "From Midland to Mindanao", that shared his letters home from the time he was drafted until he came home from his service in the Philippines. He was very proud to see his book available for order on the "E-net"!
His three greatest loves were his God, his family and his church. He was a graceful man, full of love, wit, and wisdom, and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

James was preceded in death by his daughter Nancy, in 2000, his son David, in 2011, and sweetheart, Mary, in 2014.
He is survived by his sister, Margaret Hill of Odessa, his daughter, Martha Mims Manulik and husband Matt, his daughter in law, Becky Mims, and a number of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Honorary pallbearers are The Rotary Club of Midland, James's Sunday School class, his Wednesday and Saturday breakfast club, and his model railroading buddies.

Memorials may be made to the Nancy Jo Mims Geers Scholarship at the Permian Basin Area Foundation at 200 N Loraine St # 500, Midland, TX 79701, to First Baptist Church of Midland at 2104 W Louisiana Ave, Midland, Texas 79701, or The Rotary Club of Midland at PO Box 561 Midland 79702.

A visitation will be held at Ellis Funeral Home on Thursday, February 16th from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Friday, February 17th from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Burial will be held at Fairview Cemetery on Friday, February 17th, at 3:00 p.m. A celebration service will be held Saturday, February 18th at 2:00 p.m., at First Baptist Church.
Online condolences may be offered at www.ellisfunerals.com
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sent by Larry G. Mims '63

James W. Mims ’43, of Midland Texas died on February 9, 2017. His class was one of the historic Aggie Classes that went through accelerated classes and left early to join the War effort during WWll. His service in the Pacific theater included army photo interpretation for amphibious landings and Army Air Corps targeting. James was a member of The Fighting Texas Aggie Band. and was a writer and cartoonist for the Battalion . He is the author of a recently released book about his experiences in the war ‘From Midland To Mindanao’, published by State House Press.
James was a civic leader in Midland for over fifty years and served in the Midland Rotary club for most of those years. He was a Deacon in the First Baptist Church and owned a prominent Insurance agency.


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