James Paul McMullen, 77, formerly of South Jersey, passed away peacefully on Saturday January 17th, 2026, surrounded by loved ones.
James was born September 3rd, 1948, the second of six sons, to Gran (Mary McMullen) on the family farm. Gran was both mother and father as she raised her six boys on Church Street in Moorestown, New Jersey. James graduated from Moorestown High School in 1967. The McMullen boys really made a name for themselves around town, which didn’t do Jason any favors when he entered school.
In March of 1969, during Vietnam, James was drafted into the U.S. Army. His Army stories were limited to how easy bootcamp was (because you just had to follow orders and do the exercises), drinking beer in Germany, and bowling with his officers. He was honorably discharged in March of 1975.
James bought his first home at 616 Grand Ave and renovated it from the ground up. James married Janyce Burns, and their son Jason was born in December of 1971. James and Janyce later divorced but still raised Jason together.
In 1991, James met Debra, Jeffrey, and Amanda. The story goes that Debbie was at Strawbridge Lake ice skating with her children when Jeff fell. James came to the rescue and the rest is history. They were married on March 23rd, 1992. James adopted Jeff and Amanda and they became his children, in every sense of the word. They made their home as a family on Grand Ave where Jay lived in the pool house. Jeff then took the room that faced the pool so he could see all the girls his big brother always had over.
Sports played a big role in James’ life. He was a member of several bowling leagues and received more than a few scars while playing hockey. He grew up golfing with his brothers, then took his sons, and then eventually his grandsons. It’s no secret that Jeff’s passion for golf stemmed from these weekend trips with his dad. Family ski trips to Killington, Vermont were also a favorite, and James was fearless when going down the slopes. Later in life, a few trips to Bottineau Winter Park with the grandkids proved age couldn’t stop him when he strapped on his skis.
If he wasn’t working or building something, James loved to ride his Harley. Whether it was to Summers Point for breakfast at Sonia’s or their annual New Year’s run to Chatsworth, his brother Paul and their friends were always chasing the wind. Debbie enjoyed being a passenger and always said the only place she could fall asleep was on the back of James’ bike. James’ love for motorcycles rubbed off on Debbie so much that she got her own bike. James’ proudest ride was with Debbie, both riding their Harleys on a three-week road trip throughout the upper northern states from New Jersey to Sturgis, SD. When she was little, James would take Amanda for long rides with no destination in mind, just wherever the wind would take them. This tradition trickled down to the grandkids as well. Several rides on Pop Pop’s bike were had by all.
James was a very proud Pop Pop and he also loved dessert. So, grandkids were his perfect excuse for sweet treats. Whether it was Denny’s, DQ, Culvers, or after school snacks. He bonded in many different ways, but a lot of them were sugar based. He did have a hidden sentimental side and kept years of cards, letters, and artwork proudly displayed. There were also many trips to North Carolina Beach and Arizona where so many memories were made. The grandkids still remember hunting for shells on the beach, body surfing in the waves, finding treasures on the battlefield, and visiting the aquarium. James cherished these special memories and referred to them often, and not just because the best seafood and key lime pie he ever had was in North Carolina Beach!
James had many jobs throughout the years. He was an owner/operator of a cab over Mack truck, and Jeff always says he can drink coffee in the car without spilling a drop because his dad was a truck driver. James was also the only man who could walk into any convenience store in the country and make his own coffee. James was certified in every conceivable area of construction and enjoyed working with his son Jay at DoorCo in AZ for several years.
Above all, James was a jack of all trades. He built several of his homes and renovated many others. His last full build was delayed a bit by the flood of 2011 when they moved from New Jersey to Velva, ND. He demolished the old house and rebuilt a new one from the ground up, just him and his green Ford, The Dute. There was no denying where he was as the entire neighborhood could hear him singing along with the radio. You just had to follow the sound of classic rock, and you knew where to find him. He would walk to the diner in town for breakfast every day to sit and talk to the men over coffee. This is how he became friends with Kelly Jemtrud which led to James working for the City of Velva until they moved back to New Jersey in 2012.
Life brought James and Debbie back to North Dakota in 2014 along with Amanda and her children. After another home remodel, James became the head of Maintenance for the Souris Valley Care Center in Velva. This was the perfect job for James in many ways. The halls were full of people to chat with, there was always something to fix, and the ladies in the kitchen kept him well fed! As a man that loved to give nicknames, he went by several names himself. Whether you called him James, Jim, Mac, Pops, Pop Pop, or Old Man he was always ready to chat and give you his opinion on any topic of your choice. James was very straight forward, and you always knew where you stood with him. He was loyal, a pain in the a$$, protective, and caring. He loved hard and was always ready to fight for what he believed.
A letter from Jeff……
Deep breath, here we go. It’s odd to say but I can truthfully say my life began when I was 10. When a stranger helped me up after falling while ice skating at Strawbridge Lake. That stranger became my dad and I, his son. Not his adopted son, but truly his son. Now I am not delusional, he was far from perfect, but to me, Pops was almost mythical. Dad could do it all. He could fix or build anything. If it had wheels, he could drive or ride it. He played every sport. The stories of his youth only enhanced his fearlessness and strength. Even if they now seem reckless and irresponsible, they only expanded his larger-than-life image in my head. Seriously though, what 70-year-old do you know who could carry bundles of shingles up a ladder to a two-story roof? For 33 years I’ve leaned on his endless knowledge and experience. Dad was as authentic as they come. Always himself. Loud, opinionated, and unswayed by others. And he never backed down. But for an attitude that could be construed as gruff and grumpy, he seemingly made friends everywhere and talked to anyone who would listen.
The time we spent together will always be dear to me. Dad taught me what it meant to be responsible and hardworking from an early age. Whether I was delivering newspapers or helping him rip shingles off a roof after school, I learned the value of hard work. As well as the value of being competent and reliable. Pops also taught me all the fun stuff in life. Baseball; pitching in particular, how to ski, drive, ride a dirtbike, and most meaningful to me golf. And from all this, what he instilled in me the most is what it means to be a father. He made time for me. Chasing my travel baseball team everywhere or playing wiffle ball in the street with all the neighborhood kids. Waking at the crack of dawn on Sundays to take me golfing with Uncle Owen and Uncle Paul (the f*cking stories and jokes my young ears heard!). Loading up the dirtbikes and driving to the Pine Barrens to ride with Jay and the Fultons or whomever else wanted to come. He was present and it meant, and still means, the world to me.
Pops was loving. Even if he never said it, I felt it then and do now. I know there’s so much more to say but this is where I’ll leave it. My life began at 10 with a stranger’s helping hand, and I will forever be grateful. I love you Pops.
A letter from Amanda….
God knows I’m not very good with words, so please be patient. I never thought that I would have to do this anytime soon.
Dad, you taught me a lot of things in my life. I remember you always being there for us kids, and everyone that you loved. You would show up to all my cheerleaders, dance practices, and anything else I did.
There was one time where I got to see you smile so big that it made you look so much taller than you were. We went to California, for me, to participate in the Raiders halftime show with my dance group. We got to see Alcatraz, and that’s where I found out we were walking where your favorite actor (Clint Eastwood) walked.
You taught me my first cuss word when someone cut in front of us on the bridge in the Mack truck. You taught me how to be a hard worker and taught me that I could do anything I wanted to.
We had our fights and disagreements, but we always found a way to talk. You always knew how to make me smile, and you were always there to wipe my tears away. You were my rock. You showed me how I should be loved and treated.
I got my stubbornness from you, and how to let go of people that don’t matter.
Thank you for being a great dad to me and my brothers, and a great grandfather to my kids. Thank you for taking care of my mom. You were her blessing when she wasn’t looking. You always had a way of making her smile, laughing nonstop, and yes pi$$ing her off, but you loved her so.
I hope I make you proud, and I will truly miss you. I don’t know who else will call me an a$$ when I do something dumb, however I know you will let me know.
I love you, daddy. Love your “butterbutt.”
James is survived by his wife of 33 years, Debra McMullen, sons Jason (Stephanie) McMullen, Gilbert AZ and Jeffrey (Jennifer) Campbell, Velva ND, daughter Amanda Sager, Culbertson MT, grandchildren Kenna, Brady, and Mallie McMullen, Stella and Maddox Campbell, Glenn and Abrianna Sager, brothers Owen, Paul, and Joe McMullen; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews; and his dogs, Suzie and Geri.
He was preceded in death by his mother Gran (Mary McMullen), brothers Timmy and Robert McMullen, and nephew PJ McMullen.
Please join us in celebrating James’ life with an Irish Wake on Sunday, February 1, 2026, from 11am-4pm at the Velva American Legion, 201 Main St. N, Velva ND 58790. There will not be a viewing as cremation has taken place, just look for the coffee can! All are warmly welcome to join the family and encouraged to share their favorite stories and memories of James. This will be your only chance to bust his balls without him busting yours back!
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