Beryl Mauldin
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Beryl Owen Mauldin was born 9 July 1932 in Walsh, Colorado to Etta
Ethelinde Rupe Mauldin and Oren Cloyse Mauldin. At the age of two
years, Beryl's family, consisting of parents, older brother, Glen, Beryl, and
baby brother, Bon,moved from their Colorado Dust Bowl farm to Jerome,
Idaho. His father was soon farming again.
Beryl attended town elementaries, and country schools, graduating from
Jerome High School in 1950. He was the recipient of the Davis Trophy, the
highest scholastic and participation honor bestowed on a graduating senior.
His high school years included basketball, football, and baseball in which
he lettered all four years.
He was All-State basketball as a Junior. He was class president three of
his four high school years.
Lower Columbia Junior College was his destination after graduating. He
put his clothes in a cardboard box, put the box aboard a Greyhound bus,
then hitchhiked to Longview, Washington where his grandparents lived. He
attended on a football scholarship.
After suffering a football injury, Beryl decided to leave Lower Columbia
College at the end of one semester. He then served in the U.S. Navy from
1951-1955 as a personnelman aboard the carrier, USS Wyndham Bay.
During his stint in the Navy, Beryl was aboard ship, and stationed in
Opama and Yokuska, Japan. During this Navy time, Beryl played
basketball for the United States Navy.
Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, Beryl attended Western
Washington College in Bellingham, later transferring to Idaho State College
in Pocatello, Idaho. He majored in political science and English. He taught
two years in Mountain Home, Idaho, then returned to Idaho State in
Pocatello to obtain a master's degree in school administration.
In 1963, Beryl married Rita White, an elementary teacher in the
Kootenai School District where he was the junior high and high school
principal.
Later, he was a middle school principal in Deer Park, Washington, while
Rita taught kindergarten there.
The Mauldins lived and worked in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho for two
years, then moved to Darrington, Washington in 1972 as high school
principal and kindergarten teacher at the request of Superintendent Dean
Farley.
"Mr. Mauldin" immediately fell in love with the Darrington community.
His regard for the students was high. He cherished each student and each
staff member, always making positive observations about each one. Beryl
served as principal of both the elementary and high schools, interim
superintendent, and athletic director, plus incorporating several other
positions within these duties.
Beryl is survived by his wife, Rita, his son, Oren Mauldin (Rebecca), and
his daughter, Laura Mauldin, plus a brother, Orval (Muriel), a sister, Estel
Moss, a sister, Juanita Golay (Larry), as well as grandchildren Louisa
Mauldin, Sterling Mauldin, and Alasdair Mauldin, plus several precious
nieces and nephews.
Beryl was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, and a
sister. He passed at noon on January 7, 2021 at his home in Darrington.
Beryl was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
where he served in many capacities, including two missions to West Africa.
A family graveside service was held at the Darrington Cemetery on a
beautiful clear day, January 22, 2021. Bishop Rick Neighbors officiated;
other Church members and son Oren participated.
Thanks to wonderful family, friends, community, fellow Church members
for being so dear in his life.