Ladd H. Mullenuax

Mullenuax, Ladd H.
Funeral services for Ladd H. Mullenuax, age 81, of Thatcher, will be conducted Saturday, August 23, 2014, at 11:00 a.m., at the Thatcher L.D.S. Stake Center, 4050 West Second Street in Thatcher, by Bishop Matt Clifford of the Thatcher Seventh Ward. Concluding services will follow in the Thatcher Cemetery. Ladd passed away Friday, August 15, 2014, at his residence. Ladd H. Mullenaux was born August 20, 1932 in Palmerville, west of Thatcher. He enjoyed growing up with many friends and cousins on what is now known as Palmer Lane. Ladd was an outstanding athlete and was involved in athletics much of his life. He enjoyed football, basketball and baseball at Thatcher High School. After graduation, he attended Eastern Arizona College where he played football and basketball. He earned All-American honors in football while playing for the Gila Monsters. He and Jeanette McBride began their 63 years of married life together on August 4, 1951 in the Mesa Arizona Temple. After farming for several years, Ladd decided to pursue a career in education. He played a second season of football at E.A.C. and then transferred to Arizona State University where he played two years for Frank Kush. Following graduation from A.S.U. in 1960, Ladd began his coaching career at Flowing Wells in Tucson and Westwood High School in Mesa. In 1964 he had an opportunity to come home to Thatcher where he began his tenure of 30 years at Eastern Arizona College. Ladd served as head track coach, head football coach, athletic director and dean of students. Upon retirement, he was elected to the governing board at E.A.C. where he was instrumental in reinstating football at the college, which had been eliminated the year before. In addition to serving as a member of the governing board, Ladd also served twenty-seven years on the Thatcher Town Council with nine of those years as mayor. He also served on canal boards and most recently served as a member of the Thatcher School Board.
Ladd spent twenty-three summers working for the Forest Service on Mount Graham where he fought fires, cleared trails and did roadwork with heavy equipment. He also enjoyed many years of farming with his brothers on the family farm in Ashurst. Ladd was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he served faithfully in many callings. He especially enjoyed working in the Young Men's Program. Ladd was preceded in death by: a son, Jim; his mother and father, Lexie and Arthur Mullenaux; and three brothers, Derald, Jim and Tommy. Ladd is survived by: his wife, Jeanette; two daughters, Kathy Petersen and Juli Martins (Romiro); his son, Hal (Loretta); two foster daughters, Sharon Smith and Wanda Nelson; eighteen grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; and many relatives and friends.
The family will receive friends Friday evening, August 22nd, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at the Vining Funeral Home, 1940 South 20th Avenue in Safford and Saturday morning from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m., at the Thatcher L.D.S. Stake Center Relief Society Room. Online condolences may be offered at viningfuneralhome.com Arrangements are entrusted to Vining Funeral Home.