James Waldo Muir
July 11, 1919 ~ March 6, 2015
James Muir was born July 11, 1919 and passed away March 6, 2015. Raised and educated in San Antonio, TX, graduating from Jefferson in 1936. He was awarded both his BBA and MA from St Mary's University. Enlisting in 1940 in the US Army, he served 19 months before being appointed instructor of the Advanced Course, Army Finance School. Six months later he was appointed Warrant Officer and joined HQ II Corps in Scotland, then Southern England, where they then embarked for the North African invasion. After combat in the Tunisian Campaign, he followed his unit to the Sicilian Campaign, where CWO Muir was one of the 39 experienced staff officers transferred to Gen. Omar Bradley's HQ First Army.
After participation in the Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central European Campaigns, he reported to Ft Jackson, SC where he met Lt Marie Elvert, Nurse Corp, who was also in route to the Far East. They married in New Orleans, and after leaving the service, raised their family in San Antonio, with a son and two daughters. Muir was recently awarded the French Legion of Honor medal for his service in the liberation of France during WWII.
Muir began a 37 year teaching career in 1947 at Madison Elementary, and began serving as a director of San Antonio Teachers Credit Union/Firstmark in 1957. He has served as Secretary of the Board since 1984.
He has been active in the Lutheran church since 1945, and enjoyed socializing in the Great Society Dinner Club and volunteering in many activities at his church. His son, Richard Muir; wife, Marie Muir; and eldest daughter Nancy predeceased him. He is survived by his younger daughter, Jennifer Johnson and her husband Chip; girlfriend, Christian Day; also his son-in-law, Herbert Powers, Jr.; grandchildren, Leif and Kirsten Powers and Tres and Gunnar Johnson; and also his nephew, Tommy Muir and his wife Sharon.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to Abiding Presence Lutheran Church, 14700 San Pedro Ave, where a memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2015.
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Dear Grandpa,
I have shared so many memories with you, from happy times like visiting Fiesta Texas together as a kid, or enjoying wide-ranging conversation over the delicious cuisines of San Antonio and Central Texas as I got older, to sadder memories like my final visits with Grandma, and family reunions when Mom was in the later stages of MS. Through it all, you were always present, welcoming, and supportive, even though I suspect you disagreed strongly with some of my religious and career choices. : ) I know you have so many other great qualities, like your longstanding commitment to public service, but I will miss most having you as a rock in my life.
Love, Kirsten
As I reflect back on the time I spent with Jimmy, I don’t recall that he ever asked me for anything. The inflation of sixty-five plus years had no effect on his credit union board compensation of $0.00, so this treatment doesn’t seem atypical. There were certainly times when things didn’t go the way he wanted, but this didn’t seem to affect his overall approach. His friends and family, especially his wife, my grandmother, were more fortunate than most, to have had him for ninety-five healthy and loving years.
Deepest sympathies to the James Muir family. Jimmy was a long time friend of my family. I attended James Madison Elementary and had him as a teacher.
Sincerely,
Bobby Braubach
I also was a James Madison Elementary student in the 50’s. I have fond memories of a soft-spoken gentle caring and encouraging presence. No one would have known he was of the “Greatest Generation,” a decorated war hero. He was an asset to the teaching profession, one of a kind. May the family friends and colleagues of Mr. Muir find peace and comfort at this tough time. Blessings, Robin Raquet
Dad was the best Eagle Scout I ever knew: loyal, brave, cheerful and thrifty. He was truly a servant leader, modeling patience and kindness to his students and us. When my brother, mother and sister died, he kept on moving forward with his life, continuing to volunteer with his church and the credit Union. He is an inspiration to us all and I miss his comfort and strength every day.
Thank you for remembering dad so beautifuly
Thank you , Bobby. I remember your family and how much mom and dad enjoyed their company!
A leader. The rare leader who leads by example. A servant. The selfless servant who served his God, his family, his nation, and his professional colleagues with no thought of personal recognition. This is the Jimmy Muir I will remember.
I thank him for the times I went out to wrap the pipes in preparation for a freeze, and found them already wrapped. I thank him for the dog house that mysteriously appeared in our backyard. I thank him for the countless times he served as Mr. Fixit, with no hint of criticism, after my ineptness became apparent. I thank him for instilling in his youngest daughter those values that I so respect and admire. But most of all, I thank him for his willingness to share Jennifer with me for 32-plus years. I am eternally grateful.
We are so sorry to hear of James passing. The death of a love one can be extremely difficult to cope with. Many have found comfort in the many promises found in God word the bible, especially the one found there at Acts 24:15. There it speaks about the Resurrection. By means of it our loving creator Jehovah God (ps.83:18) though his son Jesus Christ (John 3:16) will bring back our love ones again as promised (Titus1:2). Please find comfort in this beautiful promise during this difficult time…Mary Ann
I am so sorry to hear about Mr.Muir’s death. He was a wonderful man and a fine teacher. I was among his many students at Madison Elementary. He was the first person to recognize that I needed glasses. A whole new world opened for me when I could actually see. I owe him a lot.
Please accept my condolences,
Sorry to hear of your loss. May the loving memories your loved one leaves behind bring you comfort during this difficult time. May the loving promise our God gives us of a resurrection also bring you hope. John 5:28,29 ” Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out ” what a wonderful promise for us all that have lost loved ones. May this bring you comfort as it has to me.
With Sincere Sympathy
Blanca Ft. Worth TX
jw.org
With deepest sympathies to the Muir family. I have fond memories of an earlier Muir family in Sycamore, IL. (Elvert grandparents). Will miss Jimmy’s annual Christmas greetings.
Thanks, Jon, and please feel free to share news of his death with any other of mom’s side relatives as I only had your address and Skip’s
Jennifer,
Saddened to hear about your dad. Our sympathy and thoughts are with you. Always enjoyed speaking with your parents.
Linda and Steve Plante