Dear Cross of Glory Family and Friends,
It is with mixed emotions that I share with you that our dear brother in Christ, the biggest kid we have at Cross of Glory, Jim Mueller, passed into greater life early in the morning of Thursday, November 12th, hours after America’s Veteran’s Day. Jim had been at St Joseph’s hospital in downtown Denver for nearly four weeks. It was thought that he would receive a pacemaker to assist his ailing heart, but doctors eventually decided that surgery would be ill-advised given Jim’s health and age (Jim would have turned 90 next Wednesday, November 18th). Transferred to Lutheran Hospice in Wheat Ridge yesterday, Jim passed peacefully in the quiet and serenity of the holiest of times. Jim’s hospice nurse remarked, “People seem to pass as they lived, in Jim’s case… sweetly.”
Jim and Shirlee Mueller and the Mueller boys have been at the heart of our Cross of Glory ministry for decades. Shirlee was embraced by God on a New Year’s Day a couple of years ago. Jim was at the Alzheimer’s home in Golden (without exception EVERYDAY), attending to Shirlee (and joking it up with the staff and residents) for the long duration of Shirlee’s stay. Jim was never the same after Shirlee’s passing, missing his University of Denver sweetheart profoundly.
Now Jim and Shirlee are together again with Shirlee no doubt rolling her eyes… even now… at Jim’s antics.
THANKS BE TO GOD!
Jim was an unparalleled, loving disciple of Christ’s at Cross of Glory, but he also belonged to our Denver community at large, particularly impacting at-risk kids in inner-city Denver as their basketball coach. Jim was proud of his Kiwanis club affiliation…but most of all…Jim was proud of his three boys.
Tracy Mueller is a quadriplegic, but don’t be fooled! That is NOT how Colorado sees him! Earning his Master’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado, Tracy over the decades has been a probation officer in Fort Collins. His intelligence and razor-sharp wit, (don’t even TRY to get the better of Tracy) are ONLY superseded by his tremendous heart.
Troy Mueller has the distinction of being the Navy’s highest decorated civilian. Troy was instrumental in saving literally thousands of Japanese lives given the devastating nuclear spill there years ago.
And son Todd Mueller, heralded Denver basketball and baseball player, lived with Jim this last year, attending to Jim’s every need while keeping Jim’s spirit childlike and forever heartwarming.
Jim and Shirlee Mueller will always be proud of their boys (as we are at Cross of Glory), but even given the boy’s many obvious talents, they will especially NOW need our prayers, love and support. Won’t you especially keep the Muellers in heart and in mind as they wonder about funeral plans given Denver’s upswing in virus infections?
And reach out lovingly to one another Cross of Glory given OUR loss. As Angel Torres mentioned this morning, Jim was not just a friend to you. Jim was a friend to EVERYONE. Our hearts are broken at the news of his passing, but we rejoice in the resurrection Jim experiences because of his Good Shepherd, Jesus the Christ!
Jim’s confirmation hymn was “Take my Hand Precious Lord.” God did just that last evening in early morning hours of quiet, tranquility and peace.
Thank you Lord Jesus…
“Jesus loves us this we know for the Bible tells us so.”
Pastor Mike Lemke