Major General Theodore (Ted) Franklin Mallory III, 68, died at his home on Sunday, June 26, 2011 following a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born on Aug. 10, 1942, in Eufaula, Alabama, to the late Theodore and Exie Adams Mallory Jr. He attended Stranahan High School in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and was graduated in 1960.
Ted attended Auburn University and majored in Business Administration. He was member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity. Ted was graduated in 1965 and began his 36-year military career in July 1965, after completing Officer Training School. He received the USAF Outstanding Graduate Officer Award, the USAF Air Training Command Outstanding Graduate Trophy, the USAF Officer Training Award, and the USAF Flying Training Award in 1966.
Ted moved to Fayetteville, Ga., in 1972 just a few months after separation from the active duty Air Force at Moody AFB in Valdosta, Ga., where he was an instructor pilot in the T-38 Talon. He then started his career as an airline pilot.
He worked for Southern Airways as a pilot and as the Director of Flight Administration. Southern merged with Republic Airlines in 1979 and Ted was named chief pilot and the Director of Flight Training. Republic merged with Northwest Airlines and Ted rose to be chief pilot and Director of Flight Training. Ted retired in 2002.
Following retirement from Northwest Airlines, Ted worked for the Washington Headquarters of the Federal Aviation Administration as Aviation Safety Inspector for Air Carrier Operations. In June of 2004 the general was selected as the Senior Vice President of Flight Operations and Chief Safety & Security Officer for ASTAR Air Cargo. Most recently he served as President of Falcon Air Services, served on the company’s Board of Directors, and was chief flight instructor for the high performance program.
In 1976 Ted was elected to his first term on the Fayette County school board, serving 12 years, 10 as chairman. He was the Georgia School Board Association President in 1986.
Upon release from active Air Force Duty in 1971, Ted entered the Air National Guard and served 30 years as unit pilot, Squadron Commander, Group Commander, Wing Commander, and Chief of Staff. He was selected as Brigadier General in 1993 and was promoted to Major General in 1997. He retired in 2001 as Commander Air National Guard Air Education and Training Command.
Ted was a graduate of the USAF Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, National Security Management Program, and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Ted served on various boards to organizations that were dear to his heart. He was appointed by former Governor Purdue to serve on the Georgia State Board of Early Care and Learning. He also served on the College of Business Advisory Council and the Aviation Management Advisory Board at Auburn University, Board of Directors of Women in Aviation International, and President of the Joseph Sams School Board of Directors.
He served as the project manager for the Falcon Field Veteran’s Memorial, and as Past Master of the Masonic Lodge, 711, Fayetteville, Ga. He was the event chair for the Lee County Red Cross Fly-In Fund-raiser in Auburn, Alabama. He was chairman of the Delta Tau Delta, Auburn University House Corporation Board of Directors.
During his long and distinguished military career, Ted received many awards including the Distinguished Serve Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Some civilian awards include a commendation letter from Georgia Governor Nathan Deal in appreciation for his work on the Early Childhood Committee, and most recently the Daughters of the American Revolution highest award, the DAR Medal of Honor, as recommended by the James Waldrop Chapter of Fayetteville, Ga.
Ted was a member of the Fayetteville First United Methodist Church in Fayetteville Georgia for 40 years where he served on the Finance Committee.
Ted is survived by his wife of 44 years, Alice, his daughter and her husband, Teddi and Tom Meagher, Auburn, Ala.; his son and his wife, Theodore (TJ) and Sage, Freeport, Fla.; two grandchildren, Mallory and Thomas Meagher Jr. He has one sister and her husband, The Revs. Molly and Tom Wilkes. He is also survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at 2:00 PM at Fayetteville First United Methodist Church, the Rev. Mark Westmoreland officiating. Burial will follow at Westminster Memorial Gardens, Peachtree City.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Mowell Funeral Home, Fayetteville. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Joseph Sam’s School, 280 Brandywine Boulevard, Fayetteville, GA 30214.
Carl J. Mowell & Son Funeral Home, Fayetteville – www.mowellfuneralhome.com
