WILMINGTON — James Joseph Mulder, age 93, of Wilmington, NC, passed away peacefully on May 24, 2024, at Woodberry Wellness Center under the care of Lower Cape Fear Hospice.
Known as Jim, he was born in Martinsville, Indiana on 10/28/1930 to immigrant parents from Holland and France. He is survived by his only daughter, Sheila Mulder Sherwell and her husband Robert H. Sherwell, his granddaughter Emily Minor Collins, her husband Joshua A. Collins and their child, Jim’s great grandson, Stephen Dean Collins. He also leaves behind his partner of 40 years, Marjorie Humphries Fowler along with her daughter and son in law, Karen Means and David Lawn. He is preceded in death by his granddaughter Lauren Means.
As a young man, Jim enjoyed all Indiana had to offer with hunting, fishing and trapping. Jim worked as a well driller before joining the U.S. Marine Corp in 1951. He fought in the Korean War Conflict, receiving the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and three Purple Hearts. Jim often remarked it should have been four Purple Hearts but the paperwork was lost on one. He left the U.S. Marine Corp with the rank of Master Sergeant. Later, after leaving the Marine Corps, Jim managed the Wilmington branch of N.C. Hide.
Jim and Margie were members of Bethany Presbyterian Church and found great strength through their religious beliefs. He loved a good story and laughing. Jim loved to tell anyone he could that to enter Heaven you would have to be in the Presbyterian line. Jim was also a member of the Wilmington Chapter of Disabled American Veterans.
The family would like to thank the staff of Woodberry Wellness for their kindness, love and care of Jim during his short stay and Lower Cape Fear Hospice for their guidance.
