Former longtime Abilene Christian University trustee James N. Muns (’53), 93, died March 6, 2025.

He was born Jan. 6, 1932, in Sweetwater, Texas; wed classmate Betty Bell (’53) in 1952; earned a B.S. degree in business administration with minors in psychology and Christian education, and was a member of the undefeated 1950 Wildcat football team.

A memorial service is planned for 3 p.m. on March 29, 2025, at St. Andrew Methodist Church (5801 West Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75093), with a reception to follow.

He began his professional career with Wyatt Food Stores, managing supermarkets in Fort Worth and including roles as personnel director, vice president of operations and president while the company expanded to 122 locations in nine states. In 1988, he sold the company to become owner and CEO of Muns Enterprises L.P., a venture capital and investment firm specializing in real estate and related projects.

Muns devoted much of his life to public service in Plano, Texas, serving on its City Council (1981-87) and as mayor (1992-96). He was director of the North Texas Commission, a trustee of Presbyterian Hospital Foundation, and board chair of Presbyterian Hospital Plano. He and Betty were named Plano’s Co-Citizens of the Year in 1995.

Named his alma mater’s 1999 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year, Muns was an ACU trustee (1981-2002) who co-chaired the record-setting To Lead and To Serve campaign in the mid-1990s, and served on the National Development Council and on the Hope for the Future campaign steering committee. He was an elder at Walnut Hill Church of Christ in Dallas and Pitman Creek Church of Christ in Plano.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elvie Muns and Claude Muns; Betty, his wife of 71 years; and a great-grandchild. Among survivors are children Katharine “Kathy” (Muns ’76) Spencer, Marla Muns (’77), Greg Muns, M.D. (’80), and John Muns (’82); 11 grandchildren; and 29 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to ACU’s Exceptional Scholarship Fund (ACU Box 29132, Abilene, Texas 79699-9132 or bit.ly/ACUmemorial).

— Ron Hadfield
March 26, 2025