Tuesday, December 18, 2018

John A. Malcolm

CHICAGO, Ill. — John A. Malcolm, Lt Col. USAF (ret.), passed away at Smith Village, Chicago, on Dec. 12, 2018, at the age of 98.

John was born in Naponee, Neb., and grew up in McCook, Neb. He was active in the YMCA and attended McCook Junior College before enlisting after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He served as a B-26 pilot in the 320th Bomber Group during World War II, returned to school on the GI Bill, and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Nebraska. He worked as a commercial artist in advertising in Chicago until the outbreak of the Korean War. He was called back to service and accepted a regular commission in the USAF. He served as an A-26 instructor pilot during the Korean War. Later, he served two tours in Vietnam, the first in tactical operations and the second as an operations officer for the C-130 squadrons in service there.

Peacetime foreign assignments included service with the 39th Air Division of the 5th Air Force in Misawa, Japan and the 58th Air Rescue Squadron in Tripoli, Libya. John was proud that he had served in all the Air Force Commands including: The Air Training Command, Military Airlift Command, the Strategic Air Command, and the Tactical Air Command. He completed his career as head of the command post of the 12th Air Force at Bergstrom AFB, Austin, Texas.

After his retirement from the Air Force, John joined the University of Texas and served as an instructor of supervision and management to employees of businesses across the state. He was avid supporter of the University Area and NW Austin Kiwanis Clubs and their service projects. John received the George F. Hixon award from the Kiwanis International Foundation. He retired in 1986 and subsequently devoted his time to travel, service, and family activities.

John was predeceased by his wife, Justine (nee Justis); his parents, Theron Wallace Malcolm and Virgia (nee Ethridge); siblings, Edward (Mid), Connie Chrisman (Melvyn), Kathryn Clesson (Gib), and Robert (Jackie and Bernadine).

He is survived by his two children, Mark (Christine nee Lehto) and Barbara (Anthony Gumbert); his three grandchildren, Michael Plona, Justine Legner (Warren), and Benjamin Malcolm; his two great-grandchildren, Brielle Legner and Weston Legner; by several nieces and nephews; and his long-time friend and traveling companon, Jo Carlson.