Paul C. Malone

Jerome, Idaho - Paul Malone of Jerome passed away November 5, 2012 at St Luke’s Magic Valley from complications of cancer. Paul Charles Malone was born the fifth of six children to Christina Glenn Malone and James Luther (Pat) Malone on March 26, 1920 in Buhl, Idaho. He was raised in the Buhl and Wendell areas and graduated from high school in Wendell in 1938. He went to Albion Normal School for one year. Paul joined the Army in 1941 and shortly changed to the Army Air Force. He was attached to the 390th Bombardier group and was stationed in England where he was a mechanic on the B17.
He met LaDene Lowe in Jerome at Bing’s Ice Cream Parlor while home on leave. They were later married on April 26, 1943. Their son, Patrick, was born in 1946 and then their daughter, Paula came along in 1948. Paul worked at many jobs from vacuum salesman to driving a propane truck. He began his career as a grocer at the Baby Beef Market on Main Street in Jerome, then the Sawtooth Market on North Lincoln also in Jerome. In 1956, he and LaDene purchased their own grocery store and named it Paul’s Drive-In Market. It was later known as Paul’s Foodtown. They owned and operated this business side by side for 41 years. They built their business on quality food and friendliness. There was hardly a person who came in the door that was not greeted with a smile and many times - a hug! After he retired from the grocery business, they bought a farm in Wendell where they farmed and raised cattle for several years. He loved living on the farm and taking his dog, Abe for drives.
The same year they purchased the store they bought a cabin with Jean and Glenn Malone on the Yankee Fork of the Salmon River. Our families enjoyed many wonderful times there.
Paul was an avid sportsman. He played baseball, bowled, golfed, hunted, and above all he fished! If you couldn’t find him, he was usually fishing somewhere.
He and LaDene volunteered in the activities that their children were involved in. He was a Boy Scout leader and the Associate Guardian for Bethel #14 of Job’s Daughter’s. Paul was a member of the Jerome Elks Lodge, the Jerome Masonic Lodge, the Jerome Country Club, the Queen Valley Golf Course and the Queen Valley Community Church
They retired in the early 1970’s and started wintering in Queen Valley, Arizona. They enjoyed many years and made great friends while they were there. After LaDene passed away in 2002, Paul continued to go to Arizona in the winter. One winter, his friends asked him to drive a lady who also had lost her spouse to the bowling alley for their league play. This is when Betty Mairs came into his life. Paul and Betty enjoyed several years together traveling, bowling, golfing, and even dancing! Dad enjoyed Betty’s love for music. They went to concerts, the Ice Escapades in Sun Valley and many other musical shows.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 59 years, three sisters, and two brothers, and a great granddaughter Connie Anneli Tolman
Paul is survived by his children, Pat Malone (Priscilla) and Paula (Mike) Brown of Jerome; his grandchildren – Steven (Stacy) Malone, Wendi (Spencer) Tolman, Ryan (Heather) Miller, Sean (Mindy) Brown, Kayla (Craig) Kelly and Cassie Brown; his great grandchildren: Mikayla and Brookyln Malone, Payton Tolman, Ryne and Kyler Kelly, Liam and Maggie Brown, and soon to be born Baby Boy Miller. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Norma Lowe, a brother-in-law, Denny (Sara) Lowe and many nieces and nephews.
The funeral services will be conducted on November 9, 2012 at 11:00 AM at Demaray-Robertson Funeral Chapel in Jerome with Pastor Nate Dreesman officiating. Family will greet friends and family from 6 to 8 PM Thursday, November 8, 2012.
Services are under the care and direction of Jason Robertson and Angela Demaray Schneider of the Demaray Robertson Funeral Chapel in Jerome.