Paul Dean Mauldin
Palm Bay, Florida

Paul Dean Mauldin passed away on February 8, 2014 after a long struggle with lymphoma.

Paul was born in Erath County, Texas on 1 September 1935 about 20 miles from Stephenville, Texas. He started his formal education in a one room, one teacher, red brick school house and later graduated from Huckabay High School in a class of six. After completing some private academy education, he earned Bachelors and Masters degrees in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University graduating with honors.

Mr. Mauldin was privileged to be accepted into the Naval Flight School program in 1957. After successful completion of training, he served as a fighter pilot and helicopter pilot in the U.S. Marine Corps. While serving in the Far East, he received letters of commendation from the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Coast Guard for exceptional contributions to inter service operations.

Mr. Mauldin entered Military Service at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida as a Naval Cadet in 1957.
He competed Advanced Flight training in November 1958 being designated as a Naval Aviator and Commissioned in the U.S. Marine Corps as a Second Lieutenant.
After completing a tour of duty with VMA 223 Fighter/Attack Squadron at MCAS El Toro, California, he returned to Pensacola to be qualified in helicopters as well as fighters. He maintained his dual status as a helicopter pilot and fighter pilot for the duration of his military service.
After serving with HMR 163 helicopter squadron in California, he was transferred to the MCAF in Okinawa. There he served as base security officer as well as a helicopter pilot.
He volunteered to leave the MCAF Okinawa and join HMR 361 aboard the USS Thetis Bay as a replacement pilot as the squadron had lost several pilots due to accidents. The carrier was stationed in the Philippines with the mission of supporting operations which were starting in Vietnam.
Lt. Mauldin participated in one mission to land Marines in Vietnam, but the landing was cancelled prior to the actual landing operation.
He completed his active duty service in August of 1962 and was promoted to Captain the same month.
While in the Far East, he received a letter of commendation from the U.S. Coast Guard for exceptional contributions to inter service operations.

After a brief period working for the Exxon Research Laboratory in Houston, he came to Brevard County to accept a position as an electrical engineer, program manager and Program VP.

Before his retirement, he worked for E-Systems in St. Petersburg, Florida and returned to Brevard County in 1999.

He is survived by his daughter Paula Mauldin Harris, his son-in-law Chester Harris, his grandson Justin Lewis and his longtime friend Marika Dippold.

A brief memorial service will be held at Davis Seawinds Funeral Chapel on Tuesday February 18, 2014 at 11:00 a.m...

Those wishing to contribute to his memory are asked to donate to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.