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James Calvin Mueller Sr, husband, father, grandfather, stepfather, brother- in-law, uncle, great-uncle, dog daddy, and friend to many, passed away suddenly on August 5, 2022. James, known to most as Jim, and to some as Jimmy, was born in 1942. He was the son of the late Jacob Mueller and Evelyn Westervelt Mueller of Old Tappan, New Jersey. He was recently preceded in death by his caring wife of 41 years, Susan B. Whitley-Mueller. He was also preceded in death by his only sister, who he deeply loved, Karen Kelly. Jim graduated from Northern Valley Regional High School in Demarest, New Jersey in 1959. After serving in the Air Force, Jim pursued his life’s work by joining the Jersey City, New Jersey Fire Department. He served the city for the rest of his career, becoming a Battalion Chief, Training Officer, and Lead Fire Inspector Instructor. Being a fire fighter and first responder embodied who Jim was. He viewed himself as an aid to those in need. When asked about this dangerous work, he said, “I’ve always wanted to help others, I put that first, I don’t know any other way.” To his credit, while working shifts, Jim attended Jersey City State College, obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Safety, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Prevention and Safety Technology. With these degrees he also taught prospective fire fighters at the Bergan County Fire Academy in Mahwah, NJ. As a resident of Westwood, NJ, for over 25 years, Jim served on various committees related to fire prevention and volunteered for Rotary. His favorite activity was to go into the schools and teach children how to respond in case of fire. He particularly loved to encourage them to Stop! Drop! And Roll!, enjoying how vigorously they took to this fun, yet, lifesaving drill. His pleasures, which he took very seriously, were loyalty to the New York Rangers and the New York Giants. Jim loved his dogs, his Labrador Retrievers, Cheyenne, Maverick and Jake. Nothing pleased him more than driving his truck with a dog by his side. After retiring from the fire department, he and Susan settled in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. Here he finally had the time to putter around the house, tinker in his garden, do some woodworking, and watch old westerns into the night. He joined the Pawleys Island Rotary Club and availed himself again to teaching fire safely. He loved and cherished his time with his family and sadly, but with wonderful memories, leaves a son, James C. Mueller Jr, a nephew, Jimmy Kelly and his wife, Nicole of Portland, CT, a dear niece, Elizabeth Kelly of Bristol, CT, a step-son, Douglas Lemberg and his wife, Cheryl, of Toms River, N.J., a dear niece, Aurora Stolz and her husband Justin, of Atlanta, GA, a sister-in-law, Priscilla Whitley-Matthews, and two grandchildren and three great nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his dear friend and “adopted daughter”, Brooke Baker of Pawleys Island, SC. Burial will be private to the family, at the peaceful Eckerson Farm Cemetery in Old Tappan, NJ, alongside his wife, sister, and parents who he loved, as they too, loved him dearly The family requests those who wish to express sympathy, please consider making a donation to The New Jersey Fireman’s Home, 565 Lathrop Avenue, Boonton, NJ 07005 in James name. To sign an online guestbook, please visit www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com

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Jim Mueller

November 5, 1941 - August 5, 2022