James Aloysius Mulka

February 6, 1933 - December 25, 2016
James Aloysius Mulka

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James Aloysius Mulka, 83, of Cummings Cove, Hendersonville, NC passed when a rapid neurological disease guided him to our Lord on Christmas Day, December 25, 2016.

James Mulka was born on Feb 6th, 1933 in Rogers City, Michigan the oldest son of Eli and Blanche Mulka. After High School he worked for U.S. Steel on the Great Lakes limestone freighters; achieving the rank of 3rd Class Engineer.

In the fall of 1950 he saw, “My Gal Sal” walking down the streets in Rogers City. Two weeks later he found Sally (Salomea) Wozniak, again on a Posen dance floor and they began their dance of life. James and Sally were married October 30th 1954. 62 years later that love has never been stronger.

James decided the long months at sea were no way to raise a family and told his father he was going to college to be an Engineer. James and Sally started their new family at Michigan Technological University and he graduated in 3 ½ years with his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1959. James was the first Mulka to attend college.

His distinguished engineering career began in Jackson, MI designing power plants for Commonwealth Associates. Two years later, he joined Dow Corning Corporation in Midland, Michigan where he worked as a Project Manager for 35 years which included a 5 year foreign assignment in Brussels, Belgium before retiring in 1995. Afterwards, James and Sally found the beauty of the North Carolina Mountains to call home. The DC4 Research Building was James’ engineering legacy and stands tall overlooking the Dow Corning Corporate site.

He followed St. Joseph both spiritually and in his love for carpentry. He designed and built his family summer home in Michigan and upon retirement, he completed a lower level living area for his own home and for many friends in the Cummings Cove community in Hendersonville, NC. His attention to the smallest details and meticulous craftsmanship radiates from every project he built for family and friends.

James was an avid hunter, golfer, fisherman, carpenter, card player and in earlier years enjoyed tennis, bowling, skiing, snowmobiling and horseshoes.

James is survived by his loving wife Sally, his children and spouses, Mark, Steven & (Tanya), Scott & (Sally), Kristine & (David) Olson and (Erin). Preceding him in death was his son Jeffrey. He brought joy to his grandchildren; Cameron, Nicholas, Angela, Dylan, James John, Alexander, Blake and Grayson and great grandchild Tess, with countless wooden projects he lovingly built for their use and play.

James memory will live on with his brothers and sisters: Michael, Susie, Sally Jean, Tony, and Beth on the Mulka side and Anita, Rev. Anthony, and the nuns, Sister Lois and Tereska, from the Wozniak side of the family; also numerous nieces and nephews.

The funeral Mass for James will be held at Immaculate Conception Church in Hendersonville, NC on Friday December 30th 2016 at 2:00 pm.

Those interested may make a donation in the name of James A. Mulka to Michigan United Conservation Clubs, 2101 Wood St. Lansing, MI 48912 or at www.mucc.org, the Immaculata Catholic School, 711 N. Buncombe St. Hendersonville, NC 28791 or the Hendersonville Rescue Mission, 639 Maple St, Hendersonville, NC. 28793 or at www.hendersonvillerescuemission.com.


Service

Friday, December 30, 2016
2:00 PM

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church - Directions
208 7th Ave. West
Hendersonville, NC 28791
828-693-6901

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  • December 30, 2016
    Doug & Jen Drew says:
    Sally and family, our deepest regrets. Jim was a tenacious fighter for what he thought was right. Enjoyed the years we worked together and so sorry we did not reconnect after retirement. Theres a special place in heaven for Jim...

  • December 29, 2016
    Doug Aldrich (Denver CO) says:
    Jim and I worked closely on DC-4 at Dow Corning and stayed in touch afterwards. His great sense of humor, pride in engineering excellence, and personal commitment to doing an outstanding job in all aspects. I was delighted to be his partner, colleague and friend. He is one person I've truly missed as we chose our separate paths from the company. Sally, he was such a winner in my book. God bless you and yours.

  • December 29, 2016
    Ernie and Terri Romel says:
    Dearest Sally and family- So sorry to hear of Jim's passing. We will miss seeing him at the lake in the summer. And your family will be in our prayers.. Bernice , Ernie and Terri Romel

  • December 29, 2016
    Murray Northup says:
    I enjoyed the left handed right handed golfer and bowler I knew. I will miss Jim and have fantastic memories of our relationship.

  • December 29, 2016
    Steve Saxton says:
    I knew Jim from my days at Dow Corning. I respected his engineering abilities and he was quite the jokester. In fact my wife and I went to dinner in Brussels with him and Sally. He was a great host and tour guide. Our thoughts and prayers go to the entire family.