James Raymond (Mudd) Mudd

James “Jim” R. Mudd, 82, died peacefully with his loved ones by his side January 2, 2021, after a courageous battle with Lewy Body dementia. His family wishes to honor him with a memorial service from 1:00-3:00 pm Sunday, January 10, 2021, at Fry-Smith Funeral Home in Tuscola, Texas, and internment with military honors at Texas Veterans Cemetery, Abilene, Texas, Tuesday. January 12, 2021, at 10:00 am. An additional private scattering of ashes will take place in Savery, Wyoming, at a later date.

Jim was born in Rawlins, Wyoming on April 28, 1938, the third of eight children, to Raymond and Marlyss Mudd. He was a bright and mischievous young boy and at the tender age of 17, he joined the United States Marine Corps. He went around the world with the Marine Corps, helping to rebuild Japan after World War II. He returned to Wyoming after his military service and in 1961, he met the love of his life, Janet Cartmill, a cute local girl who worked for the telephone company. The young couple had a whirlwind six-week romance, and on December 17, 1961, Jim and Jan were married. Jim and Jan had their first child, Kami, on January 14, 1963, in Rawlins. Six months later, they took a leap of faith, packed their car, and headed to Sacramento, California to begin building their family, and on September 19, 1964, their second daughter, Jami was born, and Aimee, completed their family on November 4, 1966.

Jim began his career in the soft drink industry as a route driver for Pepsi-Cola Bottling in Sacramento CA. He quickly rose up through the ranks due to his wonderful ability to make a company profitable, moving his family across the country to work for 7Up Bottling of Salt Lake City UT and Flint MI, Coca-Cola Bottling of Ft. Wayne IN and Houston TX, ultimately retiring from Dr. Pepper/Pepsi-Cola of Abilene TX, after 40+ years in the soft drink industry. Jim also enjoyed a second career as Fleet Manager for Hendrick Medical Center, retiring once again in 2014. Jim loved substitute teaching at Jim Ned CISD for several years and he was an avid and strong supporter of the Jim Ned Indian Marching Band.

Jim is preceded in death by his father, Raymond Mudd; his mother, Marlyss Edwards; four brothers, Keith, Dick, Gary, and Ronnie; and sister, Louella.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Janet Mudd of Abilene TX; sister, Loretta (Bob) Lauck Wheatland WY; daughters, Kami Fowler Tuscola TX; Jami (Larry) Haney Austin TX; Aimee (Robert) MuddPowell Tuscola TX; grandchildren, Joshua (Sarah) Haney Round Rock TX, Zakk (Katie) Mudd Round Rock TX, Jared Haney San Marcos TX, Kaitlyn Powell Tuscola TX, Nicholas Powell Clyde TX, Jesse Gustafson Tuscola TX; and two great-grandchildren, Hezekiah Powell and Hensley Haney.

The family would like to thank Dr. Allen Schultz and staff; Mindi Bannister of the Alzheimer’s Association; Mischa Kincaid; Stephanie Hertrick; Erica Akard; June Gumanid; Jim Gemberling; Kim Barcuch; and all of our friends and family who have said a prayer and held a hand during our journey with dementia, so in lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association.