In Memory

James McNulla IV - Class Of 1979

James McNulla IV

James McNulla IV

James McNulla IV, age 45, passed away December 24, 2004 in Mount Vernon, VA.  The service was held December 26, 2004 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Springfield. For James Edward McNulla IV. He was struck and killed by a car on the George Washington Parkway on Christmas Eve. He leaves behind a wife, Christina “Kristi” Cassell and two children, Allison and James McNulla V. Serving as pallbearers were Jeffrey McNulla, Ryan McNulla, Richard Ricciardi, Patric McNulla Jr., Paul Cassell and Todd Cassell. “It’s a wonderful family — very involved with the school,” said Carolyn Liebeck, friend and neighbor. “His wife volunteers for everything and people raved about James’ carpentry and painting skills — he will be missed.” Liebeck and others are organizing a meal brigade and helping out with child care for the family during this time. A viewing was held last week at Demaine Springfield and the body was interred this past week in Vermont. “When he wasn’t working, he spent a lot of time with the kids,” said Cynthia Marr, friend and neighbor. “He was receptive to other people’s kids and always had a smile.” Marr said that McNulla built a tree house for the boys and put up a lot of playground equipment in the backyard. He also built all kinds of chests and things for the children to store their toys in. “He enjoyed his work and was very particular about doing it well,” Marr said. “His family also loved to go to yard sales.” McNulla was born on Dec. 7, 1959 at the Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, Texas, where his father was stationed. Jamie learned his trade of painting and carpentry while working at a hardware store in the Mount Vernon area. During the week he could be found working at various homes in the Mount Vernon area. Comments in the program from his memorial service read, “He took enormous pride in his ability to apply paints, repair window framing and attach crown molding for homeowners. He developed a clientele that he served for many years, giving his customers, whom he considered ‘family,’ very high quality work.” MCNULLA'S WIFE, Kristi, said that her husband had lived in this area permanently since 1978. He graduated from Fort Hunt High School in 1979 and started painting. "He worked at so many homes in this area. He didn't have to advertise because people liked his work so much. They trusted their house to him and would leave him their key. He never asked for money until the job was finished and they were satisfied." Kristi said that his disability hampered him, but he would ride his bike or get rides to his jobs. "He made a wonderful life for us," she said. "He was a good man — there was nothing he wouldn't do for anybody. He went out of his way for people."


--Mt Vernon Gazette