James Null

James “Jim” Scott Null, deeply loved by many, passed away peacefully at the age of 70 on Saturday, March 8, 2025, surrounded by his family after a 2 year journey with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Jim was born December 23, 1954, in Erie, Pennsylvania and as a child moved to Fairborn, Ohio.

Jim deeply loved Jesus Christ and lived his life with the hope of glorifying the Lord in everything he did. Jim married the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Phyllis Ann Coyle, on November 21, 1975, in Fairborn, Ohio. He was devoted to her and cherished her over their 49 years of marriage. Jim is survived by his wife, Phyllis, and their four children - Elizabeth (Matthew) Turner, Emily (Steve) Hamm, Justin (Katie) Null, and Erika (Clayton) Pardue, as well as 12 grandchildren. Jim was preceded in death by his grandson Samson Pardue, as well as his parents, Marvin Cloyd Null and Joyce Kathleen Camp. Jim is survived by siblings Leona Thompson, Kerry (Claire) Null, Cheryl Howard, Audrey (Gary) Hendrix, Rex Null, and Sam Hemingway, as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends who love him dearly.

Jim graduated from Fairborn Baker High School in 1973 and later went on to receive his Bachelor of Science in Information Systems from the American College of Computer and Information Sciences in December 2004. He was hired by Berean Christian Stores as the youngest manager ever hired at the age of 20. After working for Berean for several years, he changed companies and worked for Zondervan Family Bookstores. Berean rehired him as Director of Operations, officed at Standard Publishing in Mt. Healthy, Ohio. Jim and Phyllis were called into mission work in 2003. They moved to Texas and worked with Missionary TECH Team followed by a move to Louisville to work with Crossroads Missions. While living in Louisville Jim started the Team Life Bike Ride, for Necole’s Place, the pregnancy crisis center. This bike ride was started in 2012 to benefit women and families dealing with unplanned pregnancies. The first bike ride had two riders - Jim Null and Don Gilmour - and they raised $1,185. In 2024 the bike ride hosted its 13th annual ride. In the 2024 ride there were 115 riders including 83 adults and 32 kids which raised $67,000. The cumulative amount raised from 2012-2024 is $366,378…the impact of one person’s dream.

After working in Louisville for 10 years, Jim and Phyllis moved back to Cincinnati in June of 2016, to start an urban ministry in the Village of Lockland, Ohio. The Metanoia Center started out of a vision to serve and help the local community. This ministry is currently thriving with the help of over 70 volunteers. Jim had a passion to serve, love, and build relationships with the people in the community. His advice about working is, “Whatever it is you do, do it all to the glory of God.” He was an advocate for the suffering and hurting and championed the hope of helping others rebuild their lives while sharing the hope of eternal life in Jesus.

Jim was an active member of the Faith Bible Church family for more than 25 years and enjoyed the friendship and community of many within his fellowship of believers.

Throughout Jim’s life, and especially through the last few years of his battle with ALS, he purposed to love and care for the people around him. He did this through his loving, kind, and gentle spirit and always with a heart of gratitude for what the Lord had done in his life, as well as to the people helping and serving with him. There were a number of devoted friends, who were also caregivers, who volunteered weekly to assist in his care. He was loved well.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Faith Bible Church at 8130 E Kemper Road, Cincinnati, OH 45249. The family will receive friends at 10:00, with the service beginning at 11:00. There will be a meal immediately following at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Metanoia Center either through the website at: metanoiacenter.net or by mailing a check to the Metanoia Center Business Office at 316 Home Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45215.

If you are unable to make it to the service for Jim, please join the family via live stream by clicking the link below.

Click here for live stream