Arthur Mahlon Malone
November 26, 1925 ~ February 20, 2023
ARTHUR MAHLON MALONE
November 26, 1925 – February 20, 2023
Known by many as Art, or some called him Mahlon, but everyone knew him as Pap Pap. When the granddaughter, Melissa, was born the grandparents were known as Nanny and Pap Pap. Of course, when the grandson, Darren, joined the family he followed suit. Then the three great-grandchildren have joined in as well. He had two great-granddaughters, Ella who lives in Alabama, and Abby who lives in South Carolina. Then a great-grandson was born and his name is James and he lives in Alabama as well. Ironically, James was my dad’s father’s name and Melissa didn’t know about that at the time.
Dad loved hats and had quite a collection, but his favorite was a bright red hat with PAP embroidered on it. My sister asked him recently why he didn’t switch and wear one of the other hats. His reply was that everyone knew and recognized him with his PAP hat on.
He enjoyed going fishing some evenings at a pond down the road from our house with one of our neighbors. I would usually go with them and dig the fishing worms. We enjoyed many bluegill fish for dinner. He also enjoyed being on the bowling team with a group from the Vienna Pattern Works. They called themselves the Woodbutchers.
He was a devoted husband to Christine for 70 years. He never took off his wedding ring after she passed five years ago. He told my sister and I there would only ever be one woman for him and they were back together again in heaven to celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary on February 21st.
He and Christine took great pride in keeping their yard pristine. Neighbors would admire their flowers and enjoyed fresh vegetables and apples that they grew and shared. They took daily walks around the neighborhood. One neighbor commented how wonderful it was to see them out for their daily morning stroll and holding hands. Now they are able to do that again.
Dad served in the Navy for three years. He was 17 when he enlisted and his mother had to sign for him. He was employed by the Navy Department in Washington, D.C., prior to enlisting and at the completion of duty.
He became a meat cutter at a Safeway in Arlington for a period of time. I remember he would always pick out the cuts of meat when we would do the grocery shopping. I learned a lot about it from him when I was a kid.
He then went on to become a journeyman and eventually passed the class to become a woodworker. He worked at Vienna Pattern Works in Vienna, VA, for many years. They designed, built and installed kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities and other things as requested. Years later, the partners decided to retire and dissolve the business. He went on to work with Fairfax County Public Schools in their woodworking shop for several more years before retiring. His woodworking talents were recognized by his supervisors in the school shop, and he, along with co-worker and friend Craig Carlin, were often tapped for special projects. Some of those included special coffee tables for retiree gifts, award plaques and even a special “red apple” plaque that was presented to President Reagan.
He enjoyed making whirligigs in his retirement days. When he was living at the assisted living facility, we put them outside all around the facility. Then many of the residents wanted to have one specifically for outside their room. Sometimes, in the high winds of the Northern Neck, they would fly so fast that their wings would break off and he would have to glue and repaint them. When he no longer had the ability to make projects of that complexity, he started assembling small craft toy kits, such as trains, planes, automobiles, and birdhouses just to name a few. Some he would give away as gifts. He also passed them along to his great-grandchildren and friends’ grandchildren.
He was often described as a “gentle soul”. He will be greatly missed by all his family and friends.
Relatives and friends are invited to Art's Life Celebration at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 W. Maple Ave., Vienna, VA on Saturday, March 4, from 10 until the time of service at 11am. Interment to follow at Flint Hill Cemetery. For those unable to join in person, the service will be livestreamed via the link below.
November 26, 1925 – February 20, 2023
Known by many as Art, or some called him Mahlon, but everyone knew him as Pap Pap. When the granddaughter, Melissa, was born the grandparents were known as Nanny and Pap Pap. Of course, when the grandson, Darren, joined the family he followed suit. Then the three great-grandchildren have joined in as well. He had two great-granddaughters, Ella who lives in Alabama, and Abby who lives in South Carolina. Then a great-grandson was born and his name is James and he lives in Alabama as well. Ironically, James was my dad’s father’s name and Melissa didn’t know about that at the time.
Dad loved hats and had quite a collection, but his favorite was a bright red hat with PAP embroidered on it. My sister asked him recently why he didn’t switch and wear one of the other hats. His reply was that everyone knew and recognized him with his PAP hat on.
He enjoyed going fishing some evenings at a pond down the road from our house with one of our neighbors. I would usually go with them and dig the fishing worms. We enjoyed many bluegill fish for dinner. He also enjoyed being on the bowling team with a group from the Vienna Pattern Works. They called themselves the Woodbutchers.
He was a devoted husband to Christine for 70 years. He never took off his wedding ring after she passed five years ago. He told my sister and I there would only ever be one woman for him and they were back together again in heaven to celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary on February 21st.
He and Christine took great pride in keeping their yard pristine. Neighbors would admire their flowers and enjoyed fresh vegetables and apples that they grew and shared. They took daily walks around the neighborhood. One neighbor commented how wonderful it was to see them out for their daily morning stroll and holding hands. Now they are able to do that again.
Dad served in the Navy for three years. He was 17 when he enlisted and his mother had to sign for him. He was employed by the Navy Department in Washington, D.C., prior to enlisting and at the completion of duty.
He became a meat cutter at a Safeway in Arlington for a period of time. I remember he would always pick out the cuts of meat when we would do the grocery shopping. I learned a lot about it from him when I was a kid.
He then went on to become a journeyman and eventually passed the class to become a woodworker. He worked at Vienna Pattern Works in Vienna, VA, for many years. They designed, built and installed kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities and other things as requested. Years later, the partners decided to retire and dissolve the business. He went on to work with Fairfax County Public Schools in their woodworking shop for several more years before retiring. His woodworking talents were recognized by his supervisors in the school shop, and he, along with co-worker and friend Craig Carlin, were often tapped for special projects. Some of those included special coffee tables for retiree gifts, award plaques and even a special “red apple” plaque that was presented to President Reagan.
He enjoyed making whirligigs in his retirement days. When he was living at the assisted living facility, we put them outside all around the facility. Then many of the residents wanted to have one specifically for outside their room. Sometimes, in the high winds of the Northern Neck, they would fly so fast that their wings would break off and he would have to glue and repaint them. When he no longer had the ability to make projects of that complexity, he started assembling small craft toy kits, such as trains, planes, automobiles, and birdhouses just to name a few. Some he would give away as gifts. He also passed them along to his great-grandchildren and friends’ grandchildren.
He was often described as a “gentle soul”. He will be greatly missed by all his family and friends.
Relatives and friends are invited to Art's Life Celebration at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 W. Maple Ave., Vienna, VA on Saturday, March 4, from 10 until the time of service at 11am. Interment to follow at Flint Hill Cemetery. For those unable to join in person, the service will be livestreamed via the link below.
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