Claude Mauldin

Claude Vincent Mauldin passed away at his home on Thursday, January 11, 2024 at the age of 98. There will be a celebration of his life on Saturday, January 20, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Eddy County Fairgrounds, 3402 S 13th Street, Artesia, NM. Wayne Brazil will officiate interment services at 1:30 p.m. at Woodbine Cemetery in Artesia, NM with assistance from Ricky (Blue) Mauldin. There will be a viewing at Terpening and Son Mortuary in Artesia, NM on Friday, January 19, from 2 to 6 p.m. Pallbearers will be: Jack Gibson, Brian Baker, Becky Baker, Lonnie Pierce, Tara King, Trista King, Noah Mauldin, Jadon Mauldin.

Honorary Pallbearers are: Greg Shoults, Michael Coon, Sheryl Baker, Jim Hadley, Robert Evans, Jeremy Fiedler, Jim King and all remaining grandchildren.

Claude Vincent Mauldin was born on November 15, 1925 in a bar ditch near Willow, Oklahoma to Tuff and Orlou Mamie (Allen) Mauldin. He died at home on January 11, 2024 at the age of 98. He grew up during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl of Oklahoma. He graduated from Lake Creek School in 1944 and continued dry land farming with his family until he was drafted into the army in 1945. He was inducted on April 25, 1945 at Indian Station, Oklahoma City, OK. He was a corporal in the 7th Cavalry Regiment, Troop D. He was a Military Policeman and a Rifle Marksman. He also served as a guard at the Tokyo War Crime Tribunals of World War II. His parents picked him up in a horse-drawn wagon from Fort Bliss at the end of his service in 1947. The family moved to Farmington and then later, Las Cruces, NM. Claude moved to Artesia around 1960 where he met Betty Cook. They were married June 4, 1961 and went home to an instant family of 8 (each had 4 children from previous marriages). They later added 2 more. Claude enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and usually brought along the cousins and all the kids. Family was extremely important to him. Claude was truly a jack of all trades. Some of the many jobs he held were military police, farmer, migrant crop worker, oxygen delivery man in Las Cruces, repairman at Cruces Auto Parts, miner at IMC Potash Mines, deckworker on various drilling rigs, operator of the gas station next to A&W in Artesia, salesman at Bush Auto Parts, licensed plumber for Artesia Plumbing & Heating, parts manager at Bilco Supply, contractor building houses with Bill Krogman, street sweeper in Artesia and woodworker. Claude was known to be a great horse trader and recycled scrap iron and cans his entire life. In his retirement, he and Betty built yard art and old wood furniture. They were always going to craft shows wherever she signed up! They loved to go to garage and estate sales and one of his favorite things was dumpster diving. A few years ago, Chris found him hanging upside down in a dumpster and had to pull him out!

He was a member of several churches throughout his life but was currently attending Guadalupe Christian Mission.

Claude was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Betty (Cook) Mauldin; his parents, Tuff and Orlou Mauldin, sister Ida Faye Mauldin, brothers Milton Mauldin, Orlan Mauldin, G.A. (Curly) Mauldin, Sister-in-laws Dorothy Mauldin, Katie Bell Mauldin, Brother-in-law Glenn Lindsey, Grandsons Jason Kennedy and Ryan Baker.

He is survived by his sister, Naomi Zell (Mauldin) Lindsey, his brother, Nando Lee Mauldin, sons Johnnie Ray Mauldin (Stacey), Claude Milton Mauldin (Pam), Jim Vincent Mauldin (Margaret), Christopher Wayne Mauldin (Sharon), Daughters Charlotte Ann Shoults (Greg), Nancy Carol Coon (Michael), Carolyn Mauldin; Connie Jean Baker (Sheryl), Clarissa Jo Hadley (Jim), Tanya Lois Mauldin (Robert), 33 grandchildren, 48 great grandchildren, 16 great, great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews that love him dearly. He was affectionately known as More Grandpa, and More More Grandpa by many of his great grandchildren. He had a way of making each one of them feel like they were his favorite! He loved singing songs and telling stories to everyone.

Some of his favorite sayings: All I need is a smile and a few kind words.  I don't need your presents, just your presence. I just want everyone to love one another and be happy.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions to Kairos Prison Ministry of NM, PO Box 219, San Patricio, NM 88348 Guadalupe Christian Camp, 56 Christian Camp Road, Carlsbad, NM 88220 or the Alzheimer's Organization, alz.org