Johnny Ray Mauldin

Johnny Ray Mauldin, 89 of Melbourne, Florida passed away peacefully at Holmes Regional Medical Center, Melbourne Florida on February 8, 2026.
He was born on October 11, 1936, to the late Robert Mae and Mabel Mauldin in North Carolina.

Johnny proudly served 8 years in the U.S. Navy as a Gunner. While in the Navy he was a respected boxer. By trade he was a salesman of one form or another his whole life. He could sell ice to an Eskimo! He had many interests/hobbies that he enjoyed throughout life including but not limited to; being handy, woodworking, painting (he was a serious Bob Ross fan), fishing and boating! While employed at Cape Canaveral he was one of the painters of the first Apollo Rockets! He also owned two different successful restaurants in Melbourne, "Johnny's Diner" as well as "Sue's Wrangler" (he built every single booth, station, counter, and bar!).

He loved to express himself through writing poetry and was published in the "New American Poetry Anthology". Another love he had was singing, he frequently ran Karaoke night at local venues around Melbourne. In fact, on his first date with his wife Eva, he took her to Karaoke (no doubt so he could sing to her). He was quite the jokester, and he was known for making everyone laugh. In fact, his last Amazon purchase on January 28, 2026 was a remote flatulence machine! There was no end to his limerick and joke telling!

Johnny was a gentle soul and dearly loved all of his animals through the years; including, scarlet and blue and gold Macaws that were at one time regularly seen riding on the seat back traveling down 192!

He is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Eva Mauldin; one son and spouse Johnny Mauldin (Shari) of Aurora, West Viginia; one daughter and spouse Teresa Guzman (Pablo) of Palm Bay, Florida; four grandchildren Jonathan Mauldin (Mykayla), Ashley Wood (Matt), Rico Navarro and Tessi Guzman. He was blessed with 8 great grandchildren Eli and Emily Mauldin, Madilyn, Noah, and Liam Wood, Jayda and Fay Navarro and Ashton Daniels. He His stepchildren are Allen Dunson (Donna) of Terra Alta West Virginia, Jerrold Gross, Karen Manzano (Mike), and Sarah Nicholson (Mike) all of Orlando Florida, as well as step grandchildren Brandon and Isabella Manzano and Kaitlyn Nicholson.

Family and Friends will be received at Brownlie Maxwell Funeral Home at 1010 Palmetto Ave. Melbourne Florida, 32901 at 12 pm on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, for a memorial service.

United States Navy military graveside service will be held on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 9 am at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, 5525 U.S. Highway 1, Mims, Florida 32754. Plan to arrive at 8:45 am and pull into lane "A".