Robert W. Malone, Sr.

March 8, 2016

Robert W. Malone, Sr., 79, of Pensacola, was called home March 3, 2016. Robert was raised in Batesville, Mississippi, where he was taught to be a hard worker. From his teenage years he helped his mother and brothers provide for the family as a sharecropper growing food and cotton. After high school Robert enlisted in the United States Navy and served his country proudly for 25 years. He had a colorful Naval career marked with numerous medals and awards. He served in Vietnam with the River Assault Squadrons. While there, he was awarded the Silver Star Medal for Intrepidity and Gallantry, the Bronze Star medal with Valor for Heroic Achievement, both of which were presented by the United States President. He also was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with Valor and Meritorious Service, Navy Achievement, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense, Vietnam Campaign, Vietnam Service. He also served on the USS Ticonderoga as an Independent Duty Corpsman (IDC), where he provided health care services for Apollo 16, Apollo 17 and Sky Lab 1, astronaut recovery missions. While on the USS Ticonderoga he also earned his Shellback.

Robert continued his hard work throughout his life, where he raised a family of three, while continuing his college education in the evening and weekends. He received his BSBM in Health Care Services from Southern Illinois (SIU). After retirement from the US Navy as Command Master Chief, he worked for Baxter and retired from Humana Health Care as a Director of Operations. Robert was a member of the Knights of Columbus 4th degree (assembly 156), Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion (Post 340) and he also volunteered at Convenient Hospice, bringing cheer to many. In is off time he enjoyed camping with his wife. They were members of the Good Sams Club (142). From his childhood, he was an outdoorsman who liked to hunt, fish, camp and ride motorcycles and off-roading in Jeeps.

He is preceded in death by his father, Robert Malone; his mother, Jessie Riales; and his sister, Wanda Carol Malone.

He is survived by his loving wife, Theresa Malone and children, Debra Dodd (Richard), Jacqueline Bickle, (David) and Robert Malone Jr.; brothers, Charles Malone (Carol), and Floyd Malone (Grace); grandchildren, Brittney Hazard, Joseph Brown, Katrina Bretz, David Bickle, Jr., Robert “Weston” Malone III, Kaylee Malone and Richard W.R. Dodd; great-grandchildren, Maycee Stolsig, Aubrielle and Madeline Hazzard Maximo Bretz, Emma Stolsig, Zaire Hazard.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Wounded Warriors Project.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Wednesday, March 9, 2016, at Nativity of our Lord Catholic Church at 11 a.m.

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Written by Jane · Filed Under Obituaries