April 2013 - Tribute to Jim Muldrow - South Piedmont Community ...

James Steven Muldrow
May 1, 1958 – January 27, 2013

James Steven “Jim” Muldrow
MONROE - James Steven "Jim" Muldrow, affable coordinator
of marketing and communications at South Piedmont Community
College, passed away Sunday, January 27, 2013, after a two-year battle
with intestinal cancer.
Jim was born in Monroe on May 1, 1958. He attended Wingate
Elementary, East Union Middle School and Forest Hills High School. He
received his Bachelor of Arts in Journalism in 1980 from his beloved
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was a lifelong fan and advocate of the
university.
Upon graduation, he returned to make his home in Monroe and began his journalism
career with The Union News and Home in Marshville. Soon thereafter, he joined The Enquirer-
Journal as a sports writer, later becoming sports editor and then news editor.
In 1994, he met the love of his life, Cheryl Simpson, and married her on May 18, 1996.
Jim treasured his family and friends. He loved the mountains, photography, the UNC Tar Heels
and baseball. He had a goal to visit every Major League Baseball stadium in the nation and
dragged Cheryl to more than two dozen, including Fenway Park on their honeymoon. Jim was a
member of Wingate Baptist Church and served as a deacon and on various committees.
In 2009, he undertook a career change to take on a new challenge as coordinator of
marketing and communications for South Piedmont Community College (SPCC).
In addition to his wife, Jim is survived by his father, William Blake Muldrow; two
brothers, Jeff Travis Muldrow and Charles Stuart Muldrow and his wife, Jody Alexander
Muldrow; father- and mother-in-law, Mott and Phyllis Simpson; brothers- and sisters-in-law,
Tim and Dana Simpson, and Paul and Teresa Davis; nephews, Blake Muldrow and Camden
Muldrow; nieces, Mattie Simpson, Hannah Lindsey, Emma Crumpler, Lily Davis and Heather
Davis; and two aunts, Betty Jo Muldrow and Eloise Hudspeth. His mother, Betty Whitaker
Muldrow, preceded him in death.
The family received friends at Wingate Baptist Church, where his funeral service was
held the following day. Interment was in Lakeland Memorial Park, Monroe.
The family has requested that memorials be made to the SPCC Foundation for the Jim
Muldrow Memorial Scholarship, 680 US Hwy. 74, Polkton, NC 28135, or to the UNC School of
Journalism at www.jomc.unc.edu/gift, or to Wingate Baptist Church.

Goodbye, Jim.
Jan. 28, 2013 @ 05:55 PM
The Enquirer-Journal, Staff Report
MONROE —
Sunday, the men and women
who produce the Enquirer-
Journal lost a family member.
For the Enquirer-Journal staff
and many in the Monroe
community, Jim Muldrow was
family.
Anyone who worked at the
Enquirer-Journal in the last
25 years knew Jim. He
started as a sports reporter in
1980, and moved up to
sports editor in 1984. Five
years later, he was promoted
to news editor, a job he kept
until December 2009.
Even well after he left to take
a job with South Piedmont
Community College, he
stopped by the newspaper
office regularly to catch up.
Hang around the newsroom
long enough, and you will
hear many stories about Jim
getting a paper out when the
weather, the press, modern
technology and fate itself
conspired against him.
Sunday, Jim lost a long fight
with cancer. He was
diagnosed in 2009. After
treatment and surgery, it
went into remission. When it
returned and treatment failed
to slow its spread, Jim said
his goodbyes.
"I just want all of you to know
that I am at peace with this
news and it was not totally
unexpected. I just had a
feeling for some time that this
was the way things were
headed." Jim wrote in his last
Caring Bridge journal entry
on Dec. 26. "I have had a
good life. I’ve been able to go
places, meet people and do
things that a lot of people
only dream about."
Not long after the news of his
death began circulating
around social media, old
friends and coworkers began
leaving their goodbyes on
Jim's Facebook page.
Luanne Williams: "Jim was
my encourager, my mentor
and my right arm at The E-J
from 1986 to 2003 as I went
from part-time staff writer to
managing editor. He was also
a wonderful friend who kept
in touch, remembered
birthdays, commiserated
when times were tough and
rejoiced when we got it right.
He was the newsroom's AP
Style guru and the most
dependable co-worker ever.
Whether it was climbing on
top of The E-J to clean snow
off the satellite dish so we
could get the AP feed or
plowing through reams of
copy to put together the
annual Progress edition, if it
was on Jim's list, it got done
and it got done well. I can't
begin to imagine the number
of lives he touched — years
of covering sports, coaching
cub reporters, training other

editors and representing the
newspaper at everything from
United Way meetings to
Community Spelling Bees,
not to mention his more
recent work at SPCC. Bottom
line, whatever Jim did, he
cared enough to do it right. I
truly can't imagine Monroe
without him. I look forward to
seeing many of you this week
as we celebrate Jim's life and
what he meant to all of us."
Cayla Lockhart: "I still think of
Jim everytime i read my
fortune cookie. Anyone who
has ever eaten Chinese with
Jim will understand. Rest
peacefully, Jim Muldrow."
Randall Hill: "Jim was the
Sports Editor when I was
there in the 1980s. He was
always helpful and pleasant
to work with. I was so green
because it was my first job
out of school and he did a lot
to help me learn. Years later,
we reconnected via
(Facebook) and he was
always the first to
acknowledge my work he
viewed over the web. RIP
Jim."
Melanie Ballard: "The first
April Fool's day I worked at
the E-J, Jim handed me one
of those pink "while you were
out" messages with a number
for a Mr. Lyon on it. I went
right to my desk and returned
the call. It was the number for
the N.C. Zoo. I am glad Jim's
fight is over but so sorry for
the loss Cheryl and his family
are suffering."
Billy Ball: "I remember that
every time the ridiculously
high stack of papers at my EJ
desk collapsed onto the
ground—it was multiple
times, I assure you—Jim
would dutifully and silently
help me clean them up. I'll
also remember his chair
flying behind him when he
stomped off if his Tar Heels
or Braves were blowing it. He
was a good guy and a lot of
fun to work with, I will miss
him."
Wendy Angel: "I'll forever be
grateful for what Jim taught
me when I was at the E-J in
what was my first journalism
internship. Always kind, with
a quick quiet wit, and with a
load of patience for such a
newbie like I was. I'll never
forget him."
Eddie Yandle: "After the
Ashcrafts, Jim WAS the
Enquirer-Journal as far as I
was concerned. Being 3.3K
miles away, it's going to be
hard to be physically there,
but Cheryl & colleagues, be
very clear that our hearts &
thoughts are with you."
Matt McKenzie: "The
Enquirer-Journal was my first
job out of college and Jim
Muldrow was my first editor.
He taught me so much about
journalism and what it means
to be a good reporter and
editor. I'll never forget that
and I cherish all those late
nights in the newsroom.
Godspeed Jim, thank you for
everything and my prayers
and thoughts are out to your
family and loved ones."
Elisabeth Arriero: "RIP Jim.
You were such an influential
part of my early career and -
really - early adulthood.
I remember one time when I
told you I was changing my
major from journalism to
political science, you drove
up from Monroe to Chapel
Hill to give me a tour of the J-
School and tell me why a
journalism degree would
ultimately help me more. Ha.
I changed my major back to
journalism soon after that.
You were a humble man who
hardly ever made yourself the
center of attention but just
with your thoughtful advice,
kind words and witty humor,
you had a huge impact on so
many lives. I'll miss you
Jimmy. : ("
Reprinted with permission.

Jim Muldrow Memorial Scholarship
The Board of Directors of the South Piedmont Community College Foundation, Inc., has created
a scholarship to honor the memory of the late Jim Muldrow.
Criteria for the Jim Muldrow Memorial Scholarship, established in consultation with Jim’s wife,
Cheryl Simpson Muldrow, stipulate that recipients:
• Must be a resident of Union or Anson counties.
• Preference will be given to a student enrolled in the college transfer program or seeking
a degree in nursing or another allied health program.
Donations through mid-March exceed $4,500.
Information about the scholarship may be obtained by contacting Hayne White, Vice President
of Institutional Advancement and the SPCC Foundation.
Scholarship donors through March 12, 2013, are:
Rita Adams
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Alexander
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Alexander
Carl Bishop
Susan Blumish
Tracie Boone
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Braswell
Charlene Broome
Caroline & Joel Cate
Jody Chartier
Deborah Cox
David Davis
Trinisha Dean
Sandra Deskins
Dan Dombchewsky
Kay Edwards
Renee Faulcon
Barb Firestone
Susan Flake
Vicki Geddings
Oscar Gonzalez
Cheryl Hicks
Dawn Hildreth
Hill Construction Company
Joe Howard
Marci Jackson
Terry James
Emily Jarrell
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Jones
Mr. and Mrs. John Kapelar
Linda Kappauf
Junu Kim
Hollie Lackey
Dr. Maria Lander
Grant LeFoe
Sharon Little
Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Mathis
Joseph McElrath
Jill Millard
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Morris
Cheryl Muldrow
William B. Muldrow
Gina Nordyke
Dr. and Mrs. Lane Ormand
Robin Pittman
Jennifer Ricketts
Miriam Sallee
Dr. and Mrs. Stan Sidor
Eric Skeen
Fredrea Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Sparger
Lori Starnes
Richard Stegall
Cari Thompson
Susie Trexler
Hayne White
Luanne Williams
Denise Wilson
Christy Winfield
Jeff Wood

FANTASY BASEBALL LEAGUE FRIENDS REMEMBER JIM
February 5, 2013
SPCC Foundation for the Jim Muldrow Scholarship
680 US Hwy. 74
Polkton, NC 28135
Dear Foundation Director,
On behalf of about 20 friends and acquaintances of Jim
Muldrow's from across the United States and Canada, I'm
writing to offer condolences over Jim's passing and to
provide the enclosed group donation of $325 to the South
Piedmont Community College Foundation for the Jim Muldrow Scholarship.
I'm writing on behalf of the members of the International Baseball Association, a fantasy baseball league
that Jim joined in 1982. As you may know, one of Jim's great passions was baseball. Those of us in the
IBA shared his love for not just the sport and for Major League Baseball, but also for the baseball board
game made by Strat-O-Matic, a game company in New York state. We in the IBA use Strat-O-Matic
baseball to simulate our games, using the company's annual set of player cards that reflect the
performance of actual big-league players from the most-recent season.
As a longtime IBA manager, Jim was our standard-bearer for integrity – a trait that's critical for our
league, since our managers are scattered across North America and each manager plays his home games
based on instructions received from the visiting team's manager. Ask anyone in the IBA what they recall
about Jim, and without a doubt they'll mention his enthusiasm for the sport – and, more importantly, his
sportsmanship and cordial nature. One manager recalled a story from several years ago about having to
replay some playoff games between his team and Jim's club because of a mistake. This manager felt bad
about the error, since it essentially gave him an advantage over Jim's team. But Jim assured him that this
wasn't a problem and to simply redo the games and enjoy his playoff experience.
A good number of us, including myself, had the pleasure of meeting Jim in person at occasional summer
gatherings at big-league stadiums. Since joining the IBA in 1997, I've been to games with Jim at Miller
Park in Milwaukee, Fenway Park in Boston and Wrigley Field in Chicago. He also took the time to drive to
the Atlanta area and play Strat-O-Matic baseball games face-to-face with several leaguemates there.
These experiences allowed us to appreciate Jim as a genuine individual with a great sense of humor and
a warm, inviting spirit.
On behalf of Jim's IBA leaguemates, I ask you to please know that this letter is written with sorrow over
Jim's passing. We offer our sympathies and prayers over the passing of a friend who was a man of
character and integrity, and we will miss Jim. However, we in the IBA are honored to provide this
donation as a tribute to the kind of man Jim was. It is our hope that this donation will support a young
person who's working hard to make life better for those around him or her – just as Jim did.
Very truly yours,
Junu Kim
Remembering Jim

Jim with the late Bill Friday, president emeritus of the University of North Carolina, at an awards
banquet hosted by the N.C. Press Association.
Jim shares a playful
fist-bump with a statue
of Payne Stewart,
winner of the 1999 U.S.
Open, at Pinehurst
Resort.

COLLEGE COLLEAGUES REMEMBER JIM
“HAVE YOU EVER MET someone who was so
good at his job that it looked like he was doing Remembering Jim
nothing? Our friend Jim was one of those people. He
was so knowledgeable and had so much fun doing his
job that gathering information to write those incredible stories about SPCC seemed as effortless
as breathing.
“I would watch as he would circulate the room during an event stopping to casually chat for a
couple of minutes, then stop and quietly jot down a few notes on his pad before he would move
on to someone else. Later he would magically transform each of those short conversations with
friends into a very deep article about a person at this college. The center of every story Jim
wrote was a person, be that a student, staff, faculty member, or a person from the community
who supported SPCC. His focus on individuals in both his personal and professional life was
one of his most endearing qualities, one that shone through in every article and in every
interaction with us.
“As many of you knew, Jim was also a baseball fan who is most likely now completing his
journey to visit every major league park in the nation. I remember on one occasion when Jim and
I had a discussion about great baseball teams and plays to contrast them to the Chicago Cubs and
had a couple of laughs about how the Cubs were able to break the hearts of three generations of
fans. I remember him shaking his head and laughing when I would mention the Cubs, but he
never said anything against them, because that was not his nature.
“Jim was everyone’s friend, who found a way to support them and help them bring out the best
in each other. He was a true southern gentleman who lived life and treated others with kindness,
consideration, and dignity. “
Dr. Stan Sidor
President
“IN ADDITION TO BEING one of the nicest persons I ever knew, Jim was also one of the
bravest as he persevered and approached life, including his work, like he didn't want to miss a
single moment or forego a single accomplishment. Watching him and Cheryl was like watching
Love Story all over again, they each cared so much for the other and lived their life together to
the fullest. We lost him far too soon."
Charlene Broome
Retired Director of Grants and Community Relations
“JIM SHOULD GET the Iron the Shirt Award this month. He was a great guy and you could
tell that he loved his job and the college.”
Joseph Howard
Instructor, Carpentry

“JIM WAS A NEWS reporter through and through,
so it was truly fitting for him to be honored by his Remembering Jim
former co-workers at The Enquirer-Journal. I know
that all of us who had the pleasure of working with Jim will miss him greatly. My prayers go out
to Cheryl and his family.”
Linda Kappauf
Director of Human Resources Development
“MY FONDEST MEMORIES of Jim are how he always had a smile on his face and would
always let me proof any picture he took of me before publishing. I always loved to kid him about
when he was going to get me a billboard, he would just smile and say "I would have already
given you one, if it was up to me." He wrote the faculty of year article about me last year and
cracked himself up about calling me Susan Lucci. I told him he could say anything he wanted to,
just as long as it was a good story and made both of us look good. He had such a magic way with
words. I had several family members that read that article and said they laughed and cried while
reading it. He was an awesome person that I miss already!”
Lori H. Starnes
Program Director, Medical Assisting/Medical Laboratory Assistant
“I REMEMBER JIM had the unfortunate job of trying to make me look presentable for my
‘new employee’ photo, when I was still trying to figure out how to survive in the Carolina
summer swelter. We laughed as I struggled to make my hair not a disaster, and I realized then
that I would have a good friend in Jim. We stayed in regular touch at work, and we would
discuss the best places to view fall foliage, and also our thoughts on cancer treatments and how
to stay healthy while on chemotherapy. I miss him, and his absence is felt in a profound way on
our campus. I just count myself lucky enough to have known him, because I will remember him
for even longer.”
Sherri A. Breitigan
English Faculty
“ONE DAY JIM came by my office to discuss a press release and I had Disney Pandora Radio
playing in my office, as always. As the next song came on, Jim perked up and said ‘Hey, is that
Jungle Book?’ We dived into conversation about our love for The Jungle Book and all things
Disney. It was a great moment in my friendship with Jim because he had this childlike
excitement about Disney that I had never known about him before. Anyone who loves and
appreciates all things Disney as much as I do will always be a good friend of mine and I will
forever cherish this special moment with Jim.”
Cari Thompson
Campus Events Coordinator

“ONE DAY WHILE TALKING with Jim he
mentioned that he had gone out for lunch at a local Remembering Jim
restaurant and while there, someone asked him if he
was Tim McGraw, the country music star. After hearing this story, any time that I saw Jim I
called him Tim. He really did look like Tim. Jim always smiled. It got to the point that I probably
never called him Jim. Every time that I hear a Tim McGraw song, I always think about Jim and
the story that he shared with me. It always makes me smile. Jim was a pleasure to work with at
SPCC.”
Dawn Hildreth
Assistant to the Senior Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services
“THERE ARE SO MANY things that I love about working for South Piedmont Community
College and one of them is the friendships I have made along the way. Getting to know Jim
Muldrow was great. He was so kind and had a way of letting you know that you were
appreciated. Jim’s enthusiasm for photography was what brought us together. For several years,
Jim and I worked together on the FBLA Conference that was hosted at SPCC. We were asked to
photograph the event and then prepare a video to be viewed as the students had lunch. Jim and I
worked very well together and shared a love for taking candid photos. Once the photos were
done, we had one hour to produce the video and have it available. This was a major task but we
worked hard and overcame many obstacles to make the presentation a success. Teamwork was
what Jim was all about. He loved the pressure of meeting that deadline and as we waited for that
moment when it went live, we always joked about all the things that could go wrong. Each time
we shared, we learned a little more about how to improve on a ‘clock-driven’ process and we
were always so proud of the final outcome. This was such a special time for me and I have
shared these stories with my classes. We all have special gifts but Jim seemed to have an
abundance of talent, happiness, and a special love for helping others. He made a difference in my
life and I will never forget him.”
Cheryl Hicks
Instructor, Advertising and Graphic Design
“I WILL NEVER FORGET Jim! One day he went to lunch and brought me back a fish plate
from Captain D's. He told me not to worry about paying him back, he just felt led to buy me
lunch. I never heard Jim complain about anything dealing with his sickness. He always came out
to speak to me and ask me how I was doing and how the job was going. He would ask about my
aunt (who died of cancer in December) and how she was doing. I told him that she passed away
and he told me that he was sorry! I remember him telling me he would either win his battle here
on earth or he would win it in heaven. He won his battle, and his memories will last a lifetime.”
Debra Burr
Receptionist, L.L. Polk Campus

“I FIRST MET JIM when he took my picture for the
directory after I was hired full time in March 2012. Remembering Jim
He put me at ease; he was patient and kind as he
asked me about my life to introduce me to all via The Insider. He listened to me and then let me
choose the picture from his camera for the directory. He just genuinely cared about how I felt. I
saw this again when he took my picture for the last Insider. I answered a question correctly and
won an apron and a gift card! Jim came by my office to take my picture and made sure the shot
was a good one. We both smiled a lot that morning! I was very happy. I believe he was too. I
will miss his quiet smile.”
Robin Gibson
Instructor, Nursing Assistant
“I HAVE SO MANY precious memories of Jim. I remember many days I would be working
away at my desk, would look up and Jim would be standing in the hall, camera in hand, snapping
away, and grinning like he was up to something. Another amusing incident was when I put the
UNC-Charlotte mascot on his office door. Everyone knew that Jim was a proud graduate of
UNC – Chapel Hill, but I could have been listening to that little devil on my shoulder and put the
Duke Blue Devils mascot up instead. He knew immediately I was the guilty party and headed
straight to my office, hands on his hips, and said, ‘Did you do this?’ I tried to deny it but he
knew it was me.
“Jim and I talked a lot after his cancer diagnosis. My maternal grandmother had suffered a
similar illness as Jim and had a colostomy as a result of many surgeries. Topics of discussion
will not be discussed here, but we did have many light-hearted discussions about it. And how
could I forget his ‘man-purse’ that he carried during chemo weeks. He carried it with dignity
and would laugh and say he did not understand women wanting to carry purses all the time. He
found them to be a nuisance.
“I learned a lot from Jim: How to be strong in times of crisis, how to face uncertainty with
dignity and grace, how to be strong when you want to be weak, how to face each day with a
smile, and, most of all, how blessed I am to have had Jim as a friend and colleague. We are all
richer because of his friendship”
Joy Pope
Admissions and Testing Specialist
“JIM WAS A VERY KIND, selfless person. Less than two weeks before his passing, we were
leaving work at the same time. I was about 20 feet behind him in the cafeteria. Just before
reaching the door, he noticed me and, with some difficulty, held the door for me to go first. Jim's
body was getting weak, but his values remained strong!”
Nancy Price
Administrative Assistant to the Dean of Applied Science and Technology

“ONE OF THE BEST photographers I have ever
known was Jim Muldrow. As our ‘photo person’ for Remembering Jim
college events, Jim was exceptional at providing us
with many great pictures. In fact, he was a pro at the
‘hip shot.’ This photo style took place whenever a college event included food. Jim would
casually stand to one side of the room with his camera hanging off the shoulder. Just as I was
ready to take a bite of food, mouth wide open, a flash of light then a clicking sound came from
Jim's direction. When I looked around to see who just snapped a picture, Jim was softly laughing
to himself at the photo of me chowing down. And of course, every picture taken from the hip
shot angle always turned out perfectly (perfectly funny).”
Ginger McLain
Resource Development Technician
“UPON JIM’S HIRING, I was told that I was really going to like him. When I
asked why, I was told that 1) Jim is a really nice guy, and 2) Jim is a huge UNC fan. Shortly
after Jim began his work with us, I found both these statements to be true.
“Above all else, Jim was a really nice guy. I never heard him say anything bad about
anyone, and he had a wonderful demeanor, always seeming to stay calm even in the midst of
workplace crises. Also, Jim was always mindful of a female’s concern about using the most
flattering photograph.
“And yes, Jim and I shared many conversations about the Heels. For many years Jim had
purchased season ticket packages to UNC home basketball games. A couple of years ago he
invited me to join the group and share in the ticket package. Being a huge Tar Heel fan myself, I
eagerly accepted.
“Just last weekend I was in the Smith Center for a game, and even though the Heels were
victorious, this time it was bittersweet as Jim and Cheryl were supposed to be sitting there with
us. I like to think that he was with us in spirit, however, joining us in our ‘Go Heels’ chants!”
Hayne White
Vice President of Institutional Advancement and the SPCC Foundation
“JIM'S PASSION FOR photography was evident not only in his professional career, but in his
personal life as well. One conversation he and I shared focused on hiking and places he liked to
hike. I remember the name of one particular place that he spent a lot of free time visiting. It was
called Caleb's Knob in TN. At some point soon after our conversation, he brought photos that he
had taken along a hike to share that were just beautiful from a trail path. Jim was able to capture
scenic views that allowed you to feel like you were on the hike as well. Jim commented that it
was ‘like being in heaven.’ Rest in peace, Jim.”
Gina Rhodes
Development Officer

Truest Blue
It’s always been blue…
Carolina skies and jerseys, denim, fraternal blue of police brotherhood
If I could make it all blue, well just maybe I would
My friend, you stayed close and true
In the short time I had the honor to know you
Such an unassuming soul, so easy to hear and talk to
You reached out, shared, availed yourself to my fear
Despite knowing your call home was coming near
Wish we had more time, and I am sure for many that’s true
Perhaps in time eternal, I can once again look upon you
And thank you for being the truest kind of blue
Eric Skeen, Counselor
“JIM WAS A VERY GROUNDED PERSON -- no
frills. Instead, he displayed integrity, loyalty and good Remembering Jim
humor. I enjoyed seeing his wildlife pictures and
hearing about his day hikes with Cheryl. I'll keep in mind his tip for visiting the NC Zoo: Go on
the days immediately following when Daylight Savings Time reverts in the fall. The animals are
accustomed to eating at 4 p.m., when the zoo closes. However, around 3 p.m. (per the clock)
their stomachs lead them to the fences and feeding areas. You'll have an hour of great
photography opportunities!”
Caroline Cate
Director of Grants and Community Relations
“JIM REALLY ENJOYED the journalism part of his job, like going on location and
interviewing people for articles that were published in Career Focus and the Insider. I think his
likable personality helped him get good stories and led to many friendships over the years.”
Sonya Blanchard
Webmaster
“CATHY HORNE AND I won the Iron the Shirt award together. We both hate getting pictures
taken. Jim somehow talked us into standing outside together with the irons and getting it done
for The Insider. He made it funny and enjoyable. It's a small thing, but it mattered. He was easy
to talk to and treated everyone equally. You could tell the love he had for his job by the work
that he did.”
Susan Blumish
Director of Distance Learning

Jim looks out of character without his trademark smile, but in this picture, he’s actually “in
character” for a play at Wingate Baptist Church.
This is the smiling Jim we’ll all
remember.

“JIM WAS A FRIEND to everyone he met. He was
always willing to help you in any way that he could.
He put up a courageous fight to the end and will be
truly missed.”
Carol Courtney
Program Director, Surgical Technology
Remembering Jim
“I SPENT VERY LITTLE TIME with Jim during my time at SPCC. From my perspective, he
was a dedicated employee who demonstrated a respectful, friendly attitude toward others and
always seemed to have a smile on his face. One plus: he never complained about TaskStream! I
worked with him a couple of times to tweak his department's outcomes and to show him how to
use TaskStream for documenting outcomes assessment. He was very easy to work with and
never reflected any frustration as we worked through it.
“I never heard any criticism or negative words spoken about Jim from others, which I think is
very telling. I thought he did a lovely job with The Insider and always enjoyed reading it.
“I remember when Jim asked me in the late Fall semester 2011 if I would be interested in
teaching anything for Free College Day. At first I told him I would consider it. But as the
deadline for submission of the SACS Compliance Certification kept creeping closer and closer
(March 2012), I realized I would not live through the Spring semester if I added leading a
workshop to finishing the SACS report on time. So I knew I had to let him know I would be
unable to comply with his request. I was so nervous about telling him that and felt very reluctant
to do so. But I finally approached him and had the discussion. I didn't know him well and I
wasn't sure how he would take it. He was incredibly kind and understanding. He didn't try to
make me feel guilty in any way. That meant so much to me as I felt a great deal of pressure and
stress during that time.
“I was just getting to know Jim a little bit as a member of the Institutional Advancement
Division. It is heartbreaking that I was unable to get to know him better. However, I think
anyone, including me, who interacted with him was better off for it. From what I experienced, he
was a kind and gentle soul.”
Jill Millard
Assistant Vice President, Planning and Institutional Effectiveness
“THINKING BACK OVER my few years here with SPCC, I've worked with Jim in the
following way: One of my fondest memories of Jim as a new employee was having a love for
trivia. I submitted my answer to the Brain Teaser question in the February 2011 edition of The
Insider. Lo and behold I actually answered ‘How can you add eight 8's to get the number 1,000
correctly?’ and won my very own SPCC apron. Jim was really accommodating in working
around my schedule to get my photo taken. His kind spirit and gentle heart will be truly missed!
Trinisha Dean
Smart Start Program Director

“I REMEMBER MEETING Jimmy Muldrow
when I was an 8 th grader at East Union Middle Remembering Jim
School in Marshville. It was the first year students of
Marshville Elementary, Wingate Elementary, and
Union Elementary schools combined with East Union School students. I guess I was known as
that guy who could draw from Marshville and soon knew Jimmy as that guy from Wingate who
could write and could tell you everything about baseball. We went on to Forest Hills High
School and in the coming years graduated, and went about our lives.
“Later I would see the name “Jim Muldrow” as the sports writer in The Enquirer-Journal
newspaper and knew he was happily doing a combination of what he loved. It was a real pleasure
to be reunited with my old buddy when he came to work at South Piedmont. We collaborated
regularly on projects, attended seminars, and exchanged our knowledge and ideas in the short
time we spent together again.
“Jim will always have a place in my memories as a true friend I admired for his humble way and
selfless attitude towards everyone. Jim Muldrow: I had fun and learned a lot about how to be a
better person. Thanks!”
David Whitesides
Director of Printing Services
“MY HUSBAND AND I met Jim and his wife Cheryl in 2000 when we visited Wingate Baptist
Church for the first time. They reached out to us and invited us to lunch. It was an instant
friendship. Over the years, we were able to spend a lot of time together, including a trip to
Atlanta to watch the Braves play baseball. Life became busy for us and we eventually found our
home at another church but we always kept in touch. It was usually Jim who called or emailed
for a lunch date or dinner. He was always good to keep in touch and keep us together.
“I am thankful for the past year that I have worked at SPCC. I was able to spend more time with
my friend. I will miss his visits, emails and lunch dates. Jim was so awesome at being a friend
that he made you feel like you were his only one. He was so special to so many people. I know
his legacy will live on in all who knew and loved him. I never let a visit or phone call pass
without saying ‘I love you friend’ and for that I am grateful. Please tell someone you care about
that you love them today. Tomorrow may never come.”
Amber McCraw
Medical Sonography Clinical Coordinator

All Smiles: Jim with his beloved wife, Cheryl Simpson Muldrow

Jim Muldrow: 2-time colleague, long-time friend
Fred Sparger
It was right around Christmas that our friend
Jim Muldrow learned that he was out of
treatment options for the intestinal cancer
he’d courageously battled for two years. In
his last Caring Bridge journal entry, dated
December 26, he wrote that he was “at
peace with this news and it was not totally
unexpected. I just had a feeling for some
time that this was the way things were
headed.”
What must it be like to get that news? Like
the initial cancer diagnosis two years earlier,
it had to be devastating for Jim and his wife,
Cheryl. But Jim being Jim, he handled it
with grace and dignity. He handled
everything with grace and dignity.
I last saw Jim in mid-December, before that
final diagnosis. He was gaunt from having
lost 40 pounds. His face was a blotchy red,
a reaction to medication. He obviously had
no energy. But he was working, had a smile
on his face, and was more interested in how
I was doing than telling me about his health
situation. That was typical Jim, typical of
the Jim Muldrow I knew for more than 30
years.
I first met Jim (he was Jimmy then and, in
truth, forever thereafter I struggled to call
him Jim) in 1980. He was fresh out of
journalism school at the University of North
Carolina. I hired him as a reporter at The
Union News and Home, a weekly newspaper
in Marshville. He didn’t stay with me long,
leaving after just a few months to become a
Remembering Jim
sports writer at The Enquirer-Journal in
Monroe.
Moving on should have been an easy
decision for Jim, but it wasn’t. It was a
more prestigious job. It paid better. It
allowed him to deal exclusively with sports,
which is what he wanted to do. But Jim
agonized over the decision. Leaving
conflicted with his sense of loyalty.
That sense of loyalty made him a mainstay
at The Enquirer-Journal for nearly 30 years.
I’m sure his decision to leave there in 2009
and join South Piedmont as coordinator of
marketing and communications produced
even more agony for him. He was loyal to a
fault.
Jim quickly embraced his new career at
South Piedmont. He made himself at home
and befriended everyone he met. He never
said it, but I know he thoroughly enjoyed the
more realistic deadlines and the more
predictable working hours. Because of his
strong work ethic, his loyalty, and his sense
of responsibility, he continued to work until
his last few days on earth. He never, ever
wanted to let anyone down.
Jim Muldrow was a remarkable man. He
wasn’t a gregarious back-slapper but
everyone liked him. He had a wonderful
sense of humor, but it was very subtle and
produced more grins than guffaws. He was
an encourager, never a complainer. He was

a Christian, a devoted member of Wingate
Baptist Church, but he didn’t wear his
religion on his sleeve. That was simply the
way he chose to live his life.
Jim was happy as a bachelor but happier
when, at age 38, he married the former
Cheryl Simpson. I guarantee you this: a
bride who will accompany her husband to a
major league baseball game on her
honeymoon is a good woman. They went to
Fenway Park in Boston. (My wife Kandie
nearly froze in the upper deck in Candlestick
Park in San Francisco on our honeymoon in
1979. I am reminded of that compromise on
her part on a semi-regular basis.)
Jimmy was a baseball nut. He loved the
game and its many intricacies. He had hoped
to visit every Major League Baseball
stadium in the country but wasn’t able to
accomplish that goal because of his illness.
I do wish he had made it.
Remembering Jim
Jim did achieve his final goal. When he
learned he was out of treatment options, he
wrote that he’d “rather live shorter and
better than longer and miserably.” He died
30 days later, without an extended period of
suffering.
Jim Muldrow was a man of many talents,
the greatest of which, in my opinion, was his
ability to listen. Always the newspaperman,
he looked for the feature story in every
individual. And there is at least one story in
everyone. Jim was willing to mine for gold
in seemingly barren soil.
There was no pretension in Jim Muldrow.
He was sincere, he was genuine, and he was
compassionate.
He was, simply put, a good man who made
friends everywhere he went, and they, we,
will all miss him.
Fred Sparger retired from SPCC in 2010 as
vice president of College and Community
Relations.

30
For decades, journalists have used the number 30 to designate “End of Story.”