Obituary of Gayle Arnold Mauldin

Gayle Arnold Mauldin went to be with Jesus on January 18th, 2024 in Lovington, New Mexico with his daughter and son-in-law at his side. Gayle was born April 6th, 1936 in Paducah, Texas. He was the fifth of five children blessed to Felix Sanford and Mattie Mauldin. The Mauldin family farmed all across Southeastern New Mexico form Pie Town to Ft. Sumner and Lake Arthur and eventually landed in Lovington where they continued to farm until Felix Sanford's untimely death. During his time at Lovington High School he was a proud member of the Future Farmer's of America Chapter. He finished school in 1955 and continued to work in Lovington at a mechanic shop. Gayle was drafted and inducted into the United States Army on the 13th of November in 1958. During his service he was an aircraft mechanic and specialized in single engine airplanes. He was awarded a Good Conduct Medal and two commendations for sharpshooting in rifle and sub machine gun. Gayle was honorably discharged on October 31st, 1964. When he had returned from his station he met the love of his life Mary Louise Nave and married her on September 6th, 1963 at Jackson Ave. Baptist Church in Lovington, New Mexico. Gayle and Louise welcomed the pride of their lives to the world on February 14th, 1967, Libbie Lou Mauldin. They later opened Mauldin Repair Shop where they served the community for 25 years. He was an active member of the Southeast New Mexico antique car club and a motorcycle, plane, tractor, and car enthusiast. He also enjoyed woodworking and made hundreds of projects. Gayle was a true agriculturist and had a passion for raising livestock with his daughter and later his grandkids for their 4-H and FFA projects. For many years he had a garden and loved to share his produce with family and friends. Gayle was a member of the First Baptist Church of Lovington, New Mexico where he served as a deacon. One of his most favorite things was to watch his grandkids do anything, from horse shows to football games, or band concerts and dance recitals, he was so proud of his family and was their biggest fan. Gayle is preceded in death by his parents, Felix Sanford (1952) and Mattie Mauldin (1985), his four siblings and their spouses, Glenn Mauldin (1944), Nelline (2010) and JB Wyche (2007), Earl (2009) and Thomas Mauldin (2017), Laverne (2020) and Carlton Bratcher (2015), his wife Mary Louise Mauldin (2023) and his nephew Fred Wyche (2017). He is survived by his daughter and her husband: Libbie and Lee Plant of Lovington, New Mexico; his grandson and his wife: Clay and Dallas Plant of Lubbock , Texas; and his granddaughter and her husband: Cydnee and Lance Widner of Artesia, NM; and his great grandchildren: Jackson Widner, Autrie Plant, Greyson Widner, and Kenie Plant. A graveside service will take place at the Lovington Cemetery Tuesday January 23rd, 2024 at 1:00 o'clock pm. Visitation will be held on Monday, January 22, 2024 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Kirby-Ratliff Funeral Home Chapel. Condolences may be sent to www.kirbysmithrogers.com.