Obituaries

Fred “Mountain” Thomas Mullinax- the man, the myth, the legend- of Lincolnton NC died peacefully in his home on Saturday, November 30th, surrounded by his family. He went to be with Jesus--where his heart truly longed to be--after a hard-fought battle over the past three months. He was one of the toughest and strongest men we knew even to the end.

Mountain was born in Crowder’s Mountain on August 3, 1945 to parents Fred Morgan Mullinax and Kathleen Scism Mullinax Ross. As a young boy, he was hard-working, loved animals, hardly ever missed a day of school, and was doted on by his sisters and his mama. In high school, he was known as one of the best baseball pitchers around and for his ability to hustle anyone who dared to challenge him to a game of pool. By the age of 16, he had purchased Mullinax billiards, a house for his mama, and a ‘61 Corvette. At 18, he joined the Air Force during the Vietnam War. After he was medically discharged, he played semi-pro baseball and then travelled the country as a professional pool player. At the age of 25, he met the only person who could make him settle down, his wife Kathy, the love of his life. During their almost 50 years of marriage, they had three daughters and eight grandchildren of whom he couldn’t have been more proud.

He loved fishing, playing cards, his rabbits, travelling with his wife, going to his grandkids’ ball games, rocking in his rocking chair, and gossiping with his friends at the pool room. He never knew a stranger and was known for how he cared for people- those who have been cast aside by society have found a friend in him. Those who have needed help have found a meal or a job or whatever else they needed with him. Those who have had complicated relationships with their own fathers have found a father-figure in him. He wasn’t much of church-going man but how he lived his life and how he cared for people reflected the character of Jesus more than anyone we’ve known.

His funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 3, 2019 in the Warlick Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Monday at Warlick Funeral Home. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Survivors include: his wife, Kathy Pittman Mullinax; daughters, Jacque Mullinax Adkins and husband Chris of Lexington, KY, Lori Mullinax of Lincolnton and Abby Mullinax Hendricks and husband Andy of Lincolnton; sisters, Joyce Williams and husband Rodney of Hudson, NC, and Kathy Webb and husband Mackie of Vale; grandchildren, Amber Adkins, Kayla Reep, John Adkins, Zach Reep, Taylor Hendricks, Gavin Hendricks, Emma Adkins and Sophie Hendricks. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his sisters Linda and Frankie.

Memorials may be made to Leonards Fork Baptist Church, 1462 Leonard’s Fork Church Road, Lincolnton, NC 28092.