James Austin Mauldin Jr.

James Austin Mauldin Jr. Six Mile, South Carolina James Austin Mauldin Jr., 59, died on Sunday, April 9, 2023, at AnMed Medical Center. Austin was born in Pickens County on Sept. 9, 1963, to Brenda Albertson Mauldin and the late James Austin Mauldin Sr. In addition to his mother, surviving with many cherished memories of Austin are his wife, Clarissa; children, Zack Mauldin (Jennifer), Cassie Sprott (Eric), Vivian Ebenhack (Ross), Meredith Ebenhack (Dan) and Johnathan Ebenhack (Kalyn); grandchildren, Saxon, Lily, Jacob, Max, Noah and Devan; sister, Beth Mauldin (Mollie); a lifelong best friend and tag team partner, Rocky Nimmons (Marty); and numerous other beloved family members. A graduate of Daniel High School and Tri-County Technical College, Austin was preceded in death by his father, Jim Mauldin, and an infant brother, Ross Callaham Mauldin. Although he sometimes appeared gruff, Austin will be remembered for his humor, his smile and his kindhearted nature. He loved to share inside jokes and nicknames with his loved ones, and anyone who knew him well has fond memories of laughs shared over the years. Austin was passionate about many hobbies throughout the years — from fishing, watching nature, searching for arrowheads and cheering on his beloved Clemson Tigers to riding his motorcycle and collecting comic books — but was happiest when sharing those activities with the ones he loved. Some of his fondest childhood memories were fishing trips shared with his grandparents and other family members, and he beamed when he was able to cast a line with his own grandchildren. He was also proud to have spent several years as a professional wrestler, cracking skulls in the squared circle as “Mountain Man” Mauldin. He spent many Saturdays at the “Six Mile Athletic Club,” watching Clemson and South Carolina football games with some of his dearest friends, including Rocky, Bru and Rick Nimmons, Will Nichols, Bill Fowler and Howard Shanley. His most enduring hobby was collecting comic books. He and Rocky began their collections alongside one another in elementary school, and he has never stopped trying to fill in the gaps with issues from his favorite titles in the 50-plus years since then. He got tremendous joy from going to sales and comic conventions with Rocky and their sons in recent years. Austin worked in a variety of jobs over his life, making many friends along the way at workplaces including Imperial Die Casting in Liberty, Engelhard/BASF in Seneca and, most recently, the South Carolina Department of Transportation in Pickens County. The family will receive friends from 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 13, at Kings Grove Baptist Church in Central, located at 1335 Old Seneca Road. A private memorial service for family will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Austin’s name to the charity of your choice. Mountain View Funeral Home – Pickens Chapel is serving the Mauldin family.

James Austin Mauldin Jr.

September 9, 1963 - April 9, 2023