Bobby Mac Mauldin

Mr. Bobby Mac “Bob” Mauldin, 78 of Kannapolis died Saturday, March 21, 2015, following a brief illness. Mr. Mauldin was born September 14, 1936, in Concord, NC to the late Matthew Rance and Gladys Goodman Mauldin.

Mr. Mauldin was a 1956 graduate of Concord High School. After spending a year working for the City of Concord alongside his father at Oakwood Cemetery he enrolled at Appalachian State Teachers College where he earned his BS in History and Physical Education in 1961. He was a member of Pi Gamma Mu Honor Society, lettered in soccer as a goal keeper and as manager of the varsity football and wrestling teams, was a member of the student council, and led review sessions prior to exams at the request of his history professor. In 1970, he earned his MS degree in Educational Administration & Supervision from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville where he attended on an Experienced Teacher Fellowship. In 1977, he was awarded Certificate of Graduate Study in Education, Sixth Year Program from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Mr. Mauldin began his 37 year career in education in 1961, in the Kannapolis City Schools (KCS) System teaching Health and Physical Education at Cannon Junior High School, as well as coaching wrestling, JV football, and track at A.L. Brown High School. Mr. Mauldin was called to active duty at Fort Bragg, NC in January of 1962, during the Berlin Crisis. After his year of service he returned to teaching and coaching. In 1968, he was selected as the Kannapolis Jaycees Outstanding Young Educator of the Year. In 1970, Mr. Mauldin held the position of Director of the Middle Grade Occupational Program before being named Principal at J. F. McKnight Kindergarten. In his 23 years at McKnight, the school was recognized by the State Department of Public Instruction as a Model Kindergarten School and for an exemplary curriculum developed by the school staff. Mr. Mauldin was a member of numerous education associations and selected as Principal of the Year by KCS in 1991. He rounded out his education career assisting the transition of all Kannapolis sixth graders to Kannapolis Middle School in 1997, while serving on the administrative team. In 1998, Mr. Mauldin retired from KCS.

Throughout his life, Mr. Mauldin was an active member of civic and charitable organizations. He was invited to join the Kannapolis Rotary Club in 1971, and served as president of the club 1988-89. He was presented the Paul Harris Fellow Award in 1989 and continued to be an active member until his death. At the same time he joined the YMCA J.T. Fesperman Y’s Men’s Service Club, he served as president in 1976 and was named “Man of the Year” for 1987-88. Mr. Mauldin was active and served as officer/board member of numerous organizations including the Cabarrus Chapter of the American Red Cross, Cabarrus County Parks and Recreation, Cabarrus County Sports Council, Cabarrus County Christian Business Men’s Club, American Field Service, Kannapolis Association for Teaching Bible in the Schools, Kannapolis History Association, Ralph A. Glenn Scholarship Committee, Cabarrus County Sports Hall of Fame, and the NC Chapter of the National Wresting Hall of Fame. In August 2014, Mr. Mauldin received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine from Gov. Pat McCrory. The award is presented to individuals who have a proven record of extraordinary service to the state and is called the state’s highest civilian honor.

Mr. Mauldin was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Kannapolis where he was an ordained Elder. The Session nominated him for the Presbytery of Charlotte Outstanding Elder Award 2011, which he received on May 10, 2011. He taught an Adult Sunday School class there for the past 18 years and previously at churches he attended. His faith and belief in God was of upmost importance to him, and sharing an understanding of the Word of God was a gift he loved to pass on. He was dedicated to visiting hospital patients, nursing home residents and those that were home-bound. To God be the Glory for the life he led.

Mr. Mauldin enjoyed many hobbies. Wrestling was a special passion for him, he loved the sport and everyone involved in the sport. He published “NC Mat News,” which covered high school wresting across the state each season for the last 45 years. He worked with the NCHSAA wrestling officials, by making clinics available and assigning matches. He received countless accolades and awards for his service and dedication to the sport. In 1990, “Wrestling USA Magazine” named him “State Man of the Year” for NC. In 1999, the National Wrestling Media Association awarded “NC Mat News” The Wrestling Publication of the Year presented at the NCAA Wrestling Championships in St. Louis, MO. In 2004, Mr. Mauldin was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame located in Stillwater, OK by the NC chapter for his lifetime service to wrestling. The first annual Bob Mauldin MAT NEWS Wrestling Classic in honor of his promotion of NC High School Wrestling was held in 2007. Mr. Mauldin cared deeply for his wrestling family.

His family was his greatest earthly possession. Bob has been married to his wife Donna for fifty-one and a half loving years. He and Donna enjoyed traveling with their children, Jill and Alex, each summer. Each trip brought delightful memories and fun times. He enjoyed drawing impromptu ink sketches and working in the yard with Donna creating gardens, planting flowers and incorporating his collection of old bricks to build pathways and borders. He dearly loved family gatherings with his brother and sisters and their families. As a Grandaddy, he was diligent in attending dance recitals and games to watch his granddaughters cheer. He and Grandmommy continued to share their love of travel with special summer trips with the girls. As a couple, they enjoyed their travels to the UK, Scandinavian countries, European countries, Canada, and especially their trips to New Zealand and Australia.

He is survived by his wife, Donna Thomson Mauldin; daughter, Jill Mauldin Jansen and her husband Kraig; son, Matthew Alexander “Alex” Mauldin; two granddaughters, Mary Katherine Underwood and Brianne Chrystelle Underwood; three step-grandsons Kristopher, Hunter, and Grant Jansen; three sisters, Gail Mauldin Rushing and her husband Harold, Letha G. Mauldin, Doris Mauldin Townsend and her husband Lee; and sisters-in-law, Beverly Toms Mauldin and Sandra Thomson Armstrong.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Billy E. Mauldin, Sr.; and infant twin siblings, Robert and Roberta Mauldin; and brother-in-law, James R. VanWinkle.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Bob Mauldin will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, March 28, 2015 at First Presbyterian Church, 201 Vance Street, Kannapolis, NC with the Reverend Darryl Evans officiating. The service will be followed by a celebration reception in the church fellowship hall.

A private family burial service was held on Thursday, March 26, 2015, in Oakwood Cemetery in Concord, NC. His nephew, Billy E. Mauldin, Jr. conducted the service, and his son, Thor Mauldin, sang hymns, accompanying himself on guitar. The service was a beautiful thanksgiving to God, tribute to Bob, and comfort to the family.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Kannapolis-Building Fund, 201 Vance Street, Kannapolis, NC 28081.