James David Mims

After an eleven year battle with cancer, David Mims passed away on Sunday, September 11, 2011, surrounded by his family. David was born on March 24, 1949 in Midland, Texas to James and Mary Bell Mims. He was a 1967 graduate of Midland High School and a 1971 graduate of Texas A & M, where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets. He was a captain in the United States Air Force Reserve. David reached a master’s degree from Auburn University, where he met Becky Scott. David and Becky were married on September 1, 1973, in Birmingham, Alabama. They lived in Houston, Texas where David was a National Bank Examiner and later worked for Southwest Bancshares, before moving to Midland in 1977. David joined his dad and Edwin L. Stephens, as partner at the independent insurance agency of Mims and Stephens, started in 1922 by David’s grandfather, Percy Mims.

He loved being a dad to daughters Allison Mims Greer and Melanie Mims Curtis and a father-in-law to Henry Greer and Will Curtis. He delighted in being “Paw Paw” to Ashley Brown, Adam Brown, Zack Greer, and Zoee Greer. Besides being survived by his wife, children and grandchildren, he is survived by loving parents James and Mary Mims; his sister and brother-in-law, Martha and Matt Manulik; in-laws Jerry Geers, David and Deborah Scott, Allen Scott, Carol and Joe Spagnoletto and seven nieces and nephews, their spouses and children, as well as a large extended family. He was preceded in death by his sister, Nancy Mims Geers.

He loved serving his church, First Baptist Church of Midland, through music, bible study, missions and deacon ministries, as well as many committees. The Emmaus Community was also a large part of his spiritual walk and he especially enjoyed serving them through music.

As a business owner, David’s goal was to be a man of integrity and honor, to treat clients with respect and as friends, and to treat those who worked for him as family. He considered other Midland agents to be friends and widened that circle to include agents from all over Texas through membership in the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas and the Combined Agents of America.

As a native Midlander, David enjoyed serving his community by membership and leadership roles in Midland Downtown Rotary Club, Midland Chamber of Commerce, Midland Development Corporation and various other boards and agencies.

His hobbies included fly fishing in Colorado and attending baseball games in as many Major League Ballparks as possible.

Possibly David’s greatest accomplishment and the greatest gift he gave to the family and friends was the example of his strength which came from his unyielding faith in Jesus Christ and in the fact that god is in control even in the face of adversity and personal pain. The greatest gift that he received from family, friends, and the medical community was their unwavering care and support through this 11 year battle.

Visitation will be held Friday, September 16th, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm, at Ellis Funeral Home. After a private graveside service for the family, a celebration of David’s life will be held at First Baptist Church of Midland, in the fellowship hall, Saturday, September 17th, 2011, at 1:00 pm with a reception following. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the First Baptist Church Bible Study Class of high school boys that David taught in 1999-2000.

Memorials may be sent to:

First Baptist Church Building Fund

(2104 W. Louisiana, Midland, Texas 79701),

Gifts of Hope

(P.O. Box 1323, Midland, Texas 79702) helping provide support and assistance for cancer patients,

and Rotary International Foundation c/o the Midland Downtown Rotary Club

(P.O. Box 561, Midland, Texas 79702).

Condolences can be made at: www.ellisfunerals.com.