Obituary of James Mullins

James Boll Mullins, “Jim”, 80, died Sunday, May 24, 2015 in Tucson AZ. For eleven years he fought courageously against cancer and heart disease. Jim was born to Frank M. (Sr.) and Ophelia Mullins in Dallas, TX June 19, 1934 and was the youngest of their five boys. He attended Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas, TX lettering in football, basketball, and track and meeting the love of his life Joann Barnett. His athletic ability led to a football scholarship at Howard Payne University. Jim earned his bachelor’s degree in Social Science and Business Administration from the University of North Texas and continued on to Southern Methodist University Law School. Jim married Joann, his high school sweetheart, in August 1954 in Dallas, TX. Their marriage was blessed with two daughters, Kiann Mullins Lappin (Steven) and Kalajoy Mullins BonDurant (Charles). Jim began a 21 year career at Allstate Insurance in Dallas/Ft. Worth, continuing on to Clear Water, FL, Jackson, MS, and Valley Forge, PA. He accepted a position with CNA Insurance Companies in Chicago, IL as Vice President of Claims in 1976. He finished his 22 year career with CNA as Sr. VP Claims Fraud Policy and Programs, responsible for the development and expansion of CNA claims fraud prevention and fraud control programs. Jim held board positions with The National Rehabilitation Hospital Washington, DC, The National Insurance Crime Bureau, the National Automobile Theft Bureau, the California Defense Council, Valley Forge Christian Academy, and held various board positions concluding with the President of Civitan International. Jim was also proud to serve as a member of the insurance committee of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the fraud advisory commission of the National Council on Compensation Insurance. His career was distinguished by prolific speaking (keynote) and writing on an international level. He believed respect and integrity were key elements to his success as well as empathy for those around him. While he enjoyed a successful career, his greatest success came from the love of his family and the Lord Jesus Christ. “Only by God’s grace” was his mantra in all that he enjoyed during his life. He truly believed he was God’s hands and feet to all he came in contact with, from his peers he worked with daily to the garage manager and security guards in his building. He particularly enjoyed teaching Sunday school and Bible studies. He loved life and his joy was contagious. His family was the greatest recipient of his love from his traditions of cooking every Saturday morning and holiday, to reading favorite Bible stories together, to traveling internationally and stateside, to just being together at home with family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents: Frank M. (Sr.) and Ophelia Mullins, brothers Frank (Jr.), Robert (Elizabeth), Gene (Mary Lou), Earl, and identical twin grandsons Graham Emory and Wesley James. He is survived by: His wife of 60 years, Joann Mullins, daughters Kiann Lappin (Steven), and Kalajoy BonDurant (Charles), and grandchildren Brynna Lauryn, Corbin Ander, Suttyn Allyse, Audrey Claire, and Emily Grace, and surviving sisters-in-law Jeanette Mullins (Frank), Ragena Mullins (Earl), and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Grandma's Angels 1521 S. Perlman Ave. Tucson Arizona 85710 or a donation to the charity of your choice.