Edward Leroy Mobley Jr.

Edward Leroy "Eddie" Mobley, of Mint Hill, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at his home. He was 71 years old. Eddie was born to Edward Leroy Mobley “Leroy” and Mary Elizabeth Hensely Mobley “Lib” on January 2, 1953 in Asheville, North Carolina. He was the third and most favorite child by his telling despite his sisters, Linda and Susan claiming otherwise. He grew up off Nations Ford Road in Charlotte attending Olympic High School where he was a wrestler and track athlete and, according to him, held an “Olympic” record in pole vaulting.

Eddie joined his brother-in-law, Chester Hardison, in the electrician field and after a few community college classes he obviously knew more than any of the instructors. He worked with Chester for several years at Blankenship Electric before eventually going on to start his own business.

He met his first wife, Theresa Ann Flow “Terri” at Sunset Beach one summer vacation and the two would marry in May 1974 and settle in her home town of Mint Hill, North Carolina where Eddie would become a beloved community member. Their daughter, Heather Elizabeth would join their family the following year in November along with an ever changing number of family dogs.

In 1976, Eddie formed Mobley Electric Company, Inc that became a staple in Mint Hill taking care of families in starting their new homes, maintaining their existing ones, and lending a helping hand in emergencies like the massive power outage during Hurricane Hugo. He had a soft heart for widows and made sure their homes were always taken care of and was rewarded with many baked goods for his time.

A happy surprise joined the family in 1992 with the birth of Blair that April. Both Heather and Blair would graduate from both Independence High School and Appalachian State. Terri, Heather and Blair would all work with Eddie at Mobley Electric, eventually being joined by his nephew, who was a son to him, Jonathan Edward Hardison “Johnny”, truly making it a family business. Eddie and Terri would both work at Mobley Electric for the rest of their lives.

In true Eddie fashion, he decided to explore the skies before his grand motorcycle adventures. He earned his private pilot license, but needed to know how to fly under any and all conditions and met his mentor and one of his best friends, Ron Eagle “Uncle Ron”, when learning the instrumental elements of flying. Uncle Ron was another friend like a brother to him and they had many adventures in the Grumman Tiger with trips to the beach, Oshkosh, Lakeland, airshows, and the Okefenokee Swamp. Their friendship was one of balance, Uncle Ron was one of the most organized and immaculate men (Oorah!) while Eddie has his very own special system (don’t touch anything, he knew exactly where that tiny piece of paper with a job quote was).

The family suffered a huge loss in May of 2011 when Terri passed away after a short hospitalization. Eddie was also preceded by his dear brother-in-law and mentor, Chester (Linda) and his dear brother-in-law Billy Smith (Susan), his treasured in-laws, Bill and Betty Flow.

Eddie experienced a second chance at love that few are lucky enough to experience when he met Karla Burch Crago. The two were married in September 2016 and the family expanded greatly with Kelsey Crago Bassett, her husband, Josh and children, Jaxon and Lilli and Grant Crago, his wife, Megan and later their daughter, Celia. We were all blessed with an amazing blended family of children and grandchildren as evidenced by the many holiday and family gathering photos captured via drone.

Eddie was also blessed with a large number of nieces and nephews in constant competition to be declared his favorite. His sister-in-law, Sandy, added Seth Reynolds and his wife, India and Shawn Daughhhetee and her husband, Adam. His sister, Linda, added Johnny, Pamela and their son Konner, Tonya Morgan and her daughter, Adyson, and Shannon Pinti and her husband, Mike, and children, Nolan, Carson, and Sloane. His sister, Susan, added Billy Smith and his wife Mona and daughters, Cesily, Brittney, and Taylor and Kelly Sanders and her children, Jordan and Tre.

It would occupy many pages to list all the employees over the years at Mobley Electric, but in addition to the family, but special places go to Jonathan Neu, Don Griffin, Don Evans, Brad Strum, Darryl Connell, John Crofts, Glenn Evans, Bob Mace, and Frank Bosquet. Jim Mullis, Eddie’s high school coach and friend, also spent many years with the company before his death.

In his later years, Eddie became an avid motorcycle rider and his crew of Dusty Nutz. Their biker brotherhood had many adventures, including a trip to Utah shortly before his death. The membership had many, many elaborate requirements and the worthy members were: Richard "Dick" Henderson, Howard Long, Gene Hill, Mayhew Norwood, Bob Marolf, Dan Norman, Dale Dalton, Fred Choquette, Billy Cooke, Johnny Hardison, Derrick Crenshaw, Don Killian, Don Purser, Gene Hill, John Belk, Sonya Tucker, Rusty Dulin, Frank Connell, John Freeman, Ron “Bear Man” Knight, Brad Tart, Paul Nelson, Donnie Smith, Dave Renfrow and honorary members Robbie Eisenhower, Gina Dulin and Maria Henderson. In addition to his biker brotherhood on earth, Eddie will now accompany Jimmy Tucker on his heavenly ride. The Dusty Nutz will lead the procession to the graveside following the service.

Eddie enjoyed travel throughout his life and the beach occupied a special place in his heart. He enjoyed new adventures with Karla, especially their multiple renovation projects from the mountains to the coast. Their current home is a work of love as renovating Terri's childhood home meant a lot to them and the extended family.

Eddie had many dear and treasured friends that he made through family, the community, his business, church, local restaurants, Home Depot, and everywhere he went. We wish we had the space to list so many of you and the memory not to leave anyone out. We have had so many messages, photos and stories shared. Some of you we haven’t met, but we know you were wonderful because Eddie would have told us so. The thread running through Eddie’s life was his friends that became his chosen family. From his children’s friends who went on every vacation, his contractors, his favorite waitresses, trip companions; we claimed them all as one of his own. His friendships were enduring and time passed was never an issue when he saw you again.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm Monday, September 9, 2024, at McEwen Funeral Service-Mint Hill Chapel, 7428 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Mint Hill, North Carolina 28227. A second visitation will be held from 10:00 am until 11:00 am Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at Mint Hill Baptist Church, 7835 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Mint Hill, North Carolina 28227, with a service to celebrate Eddie's life following at 11:00 am. A committal service will follow at Sunset Memory Gardens, 8901 Lawyers Road, Mint Hill, North Carolina 28227.

To honor Eddie, navigate life with kindness and a sense of humor and love those around you dearly. Charitable causes are linked below, but if Eddie impacted your life in a positive way, carry that forward with the people in your life, from the waitress at your breakfast table to the people you come home to every night. In lieu of flowers and to support our first responders and JAARS, donations can be made to Mint Hill Fire Prevention Bureau, Mint Hill Police Fundraiser, Medic Benevolence Fund, and JAARS. See addresses below.

It’s hard to close this out, but in a way to really honor Eddie, we would like for you to know that the cleared lot In Mint Hill you are wondering about will absolutely be a Super Wal-Mart.

With Love,

Karla, Johnny, Heather, Kelsey, Josh, Grant, Megan, and Blair