LTC (Ret.) James "Jim" Muia

James Muia, Lieutenant Colonel, United States Army (Retired), passed peacefully at home on August 15th, 2026, in Tampa, Florida, at the age of 85 after a courageous battle against the effects of Agent Orange from his service in Vietnam. As always, he was surrounded by love.

Jim is survived by his adoring children, William “Bill” Bader Muia (Susan Homberg) of Towson, MD, Lisa Muia of Atlanta, GA and KrisTina “Tina” Muia of Tampa, FL; his cousins and amazing caregivers, Patricia Rhinesmith & Charlie Rhinesmith of North Port, FL. His passing leaves a hole in the hearts of his grandson, Grayson Muia, and his wife Khadija, and granddaughter Diana Muia, as well as his many favorite nieces, nephews and cousins and their own children. He was preceded in death by his cherished wife of 57 years, Georgeanne "Connie" Bader Muia, in 2025; his parents, Frank and Mary Muia; siblings, Sister Violanda Muia and her son, John Anthony Gandolfo, Carmine Muia, Cosmo Muia, Ida (Muia) Donnelly and her son, Raymond Donnelly Jr., Frances (Kitty) Muia, Nicholas and Constance “Connie #1” Muia, their son Frankie Muia, as well as his faithful dogs, Tasha and Primo.

Jim… or Jimmy, or Giacomo, or Poppy, Pop, Daddy, depending on who you were and how you knew him, was born on February 19, 1941, in the coal town of Carbondale, PA, to miner Frank and seamstress Mary Muia (née Muia). The baby of seven children born to Italian immigrants (and cousins, but that’s another story), he was doted on from the start. After a move closer to extended family in Ridgefield Park, NJ, his siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews were not only his childhood playmates but his best friends for all the years to come. Jimmy ran amuck with the neighborhood ruffians, recalling in later years, “everyone else carried a switchblade and I carried a butter knife.” He wasn’t a kid who was picked on for his big ears and bad teeth, crazy, loud family or hand-me-downs way too big for his bony, slim frame - because everyone who ever met him absolutely loved him. That sweet and patient character, warm and disarming temperament, quiet strength and humble nature led to a career that would place Jim at the intersection of diplomacy, military intelligence and international affairs through multiple world crises and the Cold War.

Private James Muia enlisted in the United States Army in 1963 for what he said was a very practical reason: “to get his teeth fixed.” This turned into a remarkable 28-year career, during which he rose through the ranks and ultimately retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in Military Intelligence. He spent more than 11 years in foreign service, with his first assignment in the Dominican Republic during the 1965 revolution followed by two tours in Vietnam assigned to Psychological Warfare, where he was exposed to Agent Orange.

A change of pace and lifestyle came with marriage to Connie, life with Bill and Lisa, and the arrival of baby Tina in St. Petersburg, FL. Thanks to the GI Bill, he received his degree from the University of South Florida before a move to Arlington, VA. A NATO assignment in the charming city of Brussels, Belgium, had him working closely with NATO leaders, heads of state, kings and queens while spending weekends packing Connie and the kids into the VW Bus for trips across Europe and Denmark. After a short stint stationed in Atlanta, GA, Jim was given another chance of a lifetime to join the Southern European Task Force (SETAF) in Verona, Italy – a “hardship tour,” he joked. Giacomo and Connie lived La Dolce Vita in their 100-year-old villa, the always smiling Italiano-Americano waving to welcoming villagers of tiny Grezzana from his little brown Alfa Romeo. In the late 80s, he was assigned to the U.S. European Command at Patch Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany, herding the family on ski trips and Connie through Christmas Markets. The final years of his 28 years of proud service to his country were spent at the National Security Agency in Maryland, settling in Annapolis, overlooking the Naval Academy.

His distinguished service was recognized with numerous decorations, including the Bronze Star Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with six service stars, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

His work was serious and highly specialized, but he never let on just how specialized, nor did he take himself too seriously. Friends and family often joked about him being some secret spy, and he’d cock a grin and say, “if I told ya, I’d have to kill ya.” He also could never figure out how to set the timer on the VCR, so no one was ever really sure of his secret spy skills anyway.

Retired but not tired, Jim and Connie uprooted yet again to Tampa in 1991. He joined Sypris, then Group Technologies, eventually becoming a U.S. Patent holder (No. 6,099,355), co-inventing a ruggedized secure computer hardware system used in the field, often in combat.

Finally retired-retired, as he called it, Jim and Connie traveled back to Europe, throughout the U.S., up to see family in Philly and New Jersey, and opened their home and hearts to friends old and new. Poppy relished being a grandfather, the wise old Uncle Jim, and Daddy, the steady rock of the entire family. He enjoyed playing below-average golf, “checking the buoyancy” (aka floating) in his pool, puttering around his backyard overflowing with blooms and planters, a questionable amount of garden art, and more birdhouses and fountains than the HOA may have allowed.

James, Jim, Jimmy, Giacomo. Poppy, Dad, Daddy. He went by many names, and leaves behind a legacy of love that will never be forgotten - and achievements, some of which we may never know.

A joyous Celebration of Jim's Life - with Vino & Birra to salut and antipasti to mangia - will be held on Saturday, August 29th, 2026, at Blount & Curry Life Event Center, 605 S. MacDill Ave, from 3:00pm - 7:00pm. All are welcome to stop by for a hug or stay for hours to share laughter, stories, and love! Remarks and Reflections will begin at 6:00pm. In lieu of flowers or if you are unable to attend, please just raise a glass in Jim's name & share a memory of him.

Jim will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery with full Military Honors at a later date.