James Walter Malott

James Walter Malott, age 92, passed away on Sunday, May 26, 2024 at his home with family by his side. Jim had lived a full and happy life with many people who loved him. James (aka: Twig) was born in Kansas City, MO. His family moved to Independence his second year of elementary school where he attended Rock Creek Elementary School through the 8th grade. He graduated from William Chrisman High School. Jim married Ina Mae McClure in 1951. He joined the Navy during the Korean War and left for San Diego, CA on Feb. 4th, 1952, his twentieth birthday. After bootcamp he traveled to Japan on the Bryce Canyon. He spent four years on the ship going back and forth from Long Beach, CA to Japan, the Philippines, Korea and stops in Oahu, Hawaii. After the birth of his daughter Melanie in 1955 he and his family moved to Long Beach but after his Honorable Discharge from the Navy in January of 1956 they moved back to Independence where he worked at the Bendix Plant to became a tool and die maker and then a Shop Steward. This began his 28 years of service to the "Labor Movement". His first son Richard was born in 1957. Jim became an organizer for District 71 in Kansas City for The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. In 1965 his second son Danny was born. Also, in 1965 he became a Grand Lodge Representative assigned in the Midwest mostly in the Kansas City and St Louis areas. He was eventually transferred in 1973 to the Chicago area where he lived in Crystal Lake, Illinois for 12 years. When he was elected as General Vice President assigned to eight states in the Northwest Territory in 1985 he was transferred to the Portland, Oregan office and lived in Vancouver, Washington for two years. He was then promoted to International Vice President of Organizing and transferred to Washington DC where he worked at the Dupont Circle office and lived in nearby Silver Springs, MD. After his retirement in 1989 he moved back to Vancouver, WA. Jim was very active in the Democratic Party. He was a member of the Masons and the Shriners for many years. He was affiliated with the United Methodist Church in Independence, MO; Crystal Lake, IL and Vancouver, WA. He was also an avid golfer. Mae, Jim's wife of 52 years, died May 18th, 2003. Jim married his 2nd wife Delores "Dee" Spice three years later and moved to Richland, Washington. Dee passed away March 4, 2023. He then moved to Bonaventure Retirement Home in Puyallup, WA in 2022. Jim's parents were Margaret Pearl (Miller) Malott and Arthur "Vernon" Malott. Jim was also preceded in death by his wife Ina "Mae" (McClure) Malott who died in 2003, by his son Richard Alan Malott "Rick" who died in 2019 and his 2nd wife Dolores "Dee" (Spice) Malott who passed in 2023. He had also said goodbye to his twin brothers, Vernon [Carolyn] and Virgil [Elaine] Malott and his sister, Mary Lou (Malott) [Fred] Larsen. Jim leaves behind his daughter, Melanie Jane (Malott) McNamara, his son Danny Phillip [Pam] Malott. He leaves 11 grandchildren Melissa Jane Malott, Wesley Alan [Robin] Malott, Shannon Claire Malott, Heather Elizabeth Vercauteren, James Gustave Malott, Caitlin Celeste [Nic] Cravillion, Danielle Sheree [Adam] Hoot, Jenny Lynn [Chad] Glasshagel, Andrew Paul McNamara, Curtis John [Beth] Malott, Samantha Leigh [Talia] Malott. Jim also had 14 Great-Grandchildren, Jules, Rikki, Evan, Dylan, Rosco, Asher, Layne, Nora, Clayton, Cameron, Tidus, Arden, Aubrey, and Ethan.

James Walter Malott

February 4, 1932 - May 26, 2024