John Wesley Malmquist

John Malmquist Obituary

JOHN WESLEY

MALMQUIST

John passed away Wednesday, December 10, 2008 after a long battle with prostate cancer. He was born on July 25, 1923 at home in Chico, Calif. to George and Blanche Malmquist.

He attended Chico Normal School and graduated from Chico High School in 1941. John was drafted in 1941 for World War II. Upon his return from serving his country, he met the love of his life, Virginia Simon on a blind date. They were married 62 years. As a licensed building contractor, he built many homes in the Chico area. Memberships throughout the years included American Legion, VFW, Carpenters Union, Good Sams, and Men's Bowling Association. He was the number one spectator at all his grandsons sporting events.

John is survived by wife, Virginia; daughter, Rita Smith (Roger); grandchildren, Deborah Emanuel, Roger Smith (Kristin), and Randal Smith (Cindy Phillips); great-grandchildren, Spencer and Skylar Smith. He was preceded in death by his parents, son, John Eugene; his sister, Doris Diven; brother, Tom Malmquist.

A Graveside Service will be held Monday, Dec. 15,. 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at Glen Oaks Memorial Park, followed by a Memorial Service at the Butte Bible Fellowship at 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution can be made to Butte Bible, American Cancer Society or your favorite charity. John's love for his fanily and the Lord was evident by all who knew him. You may share your thoughts online at www.BrusieFH.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Chico Enterprise-Record on Dec. 12, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for John Malmquist

10 Entries

September 21, 2009

Dad- The months have rolled by and now it is autumn. Hard to believe it. Love looking at the Christmas vidio's and hearing your voice.My heart is still broken. Love you always-Rita

May 25, 2009

Dear, Grandma
It has taken me a while to figure what to say here in this guest book. We as a family really don't show our affection
towards one another. But, we all know it's there. So to say anything in this regard, as you can imagine, is hard.
I have so many stories and they all end the same way.
In the summer time grandpa would let come over to work so I could make some money. He would have me cut the grass, fertalize the trees, paint the fence and anything that he could think of to keep me busy.
Well, one day, actually it took a couple of days, he decided that he wanted to weed out his Iris garden. I thought the garden was just a bunch of weeds. I didn't realize that anything was actually there. I tell you what...that was some of the hardest work he ever had me do. Being bent over on my knees in the dirt pulling weeds for 8hrs a day for 2 days may not seem that hard, but while you're doing the work...It takes forever.
I tell you what, when we were through, I never felt better about myself and what he and I accomplished. Was it hard work, sure. Was I hating it while I was doing it, you bet. Did I feel great about how we made the front and back yards looked, absolutely.
I didn't get it then because I was younger, but I know now that he was trying to help me understand that putting in a hard days work was gratifying.
I remember he used to tell why he liked to build. He said," Kid, you can see what you've done that one day."
Thank you for teaching us grandpa. Subtle as it may have been.
We miss you. Love Randal and Cindy

DON MILLER

February 1, 2009

Dear Virginia:
It is wih sincere regret that I am to be late expressing my feelings about the passing of John. Being far removed from both your lives and from Chico for the past several years, I did not learn about John's departure until just yesterday, January 31st. I am truly sorry to learn of his passing and wish you and your family well for the journey ahead that now must be made without John.
Today, I found your Guest Book and read the heartfelt entries from family and friends. I was somewhat dismayed to learn that his Guest Book was to expire tomorrow, February 2nd. I know John's memory will live forever in the minds of those who knew and loved him, but I also feel that those memories should be preserved in more than mind. For this reason, I have sponsored your Guest Book to become a tribute to John for the next 12 months.
With this in mind, if I may, I would like to add my own comments and feelings for John. Since our first meeting while square dancing with you and John back in 1956, I have always considered him to be one of my most respected friends.
We shared many adventures together. Like the time John accompanied me on a film making safari to the wilds of British
Columbia, Canada. I can still picture him following on horseback after dark, through a blizzard with snow so heavy we couldn't see each other. And his humor when he laughed and told me he had dropped
his horse's reins. But that it didn't matter, since he couldn't see where he was going anyway.

That journey was followed by a hunting trip into the Salmon River wilderness near Challis, Idaho. We were accompanied by a friend, Clayton Ford of Chico. Upon arrival at the airfield in Challis we learned that our transportation next morning was a vintage aircraft dating back to the 1930s. There were no seats, just benches. We also learned that our camping gear would only leave room for one of us. We decided to toss coins to see who went first and who followed later. John nudged me and suggested we both be sure our coins came up heads. Clayton's coin turned out to be tails. Next morning John and I watched and waved to Clayton as the antique airplane lumbered its way into the sky. When the pilot returned for us he parked the old craft and we made the trip in a brand new Cessna. Clayton didn't speak to us on the way home.

This adventure was followed by another film safari to a place called "Wild Horse Mesa", a RV Resort in he foothills west of Red Bluff. John was to assist me in producing a sales film for the development. Slim Pickens and Sheb Wooley were to be the stars of the film. One scene was to depict Slim Pickens coming out of his motor home with a pan to fetch coffee water from a nearby stream.
John was the Director and he yelled so Slim could hear him, "OK Slim, ACTION! The door flew open and Slim staggered out with his hat askew and a Jim Beam whiskey bottle in his hand. As he fell to his knees John yelled, "CUT!" and cameras stopped rolling. I asked Slim why he was portraying a drunk. He pointed to John and said, "John asked me to act natural and be myself.. so it's John's fault!

Numerous deer and pheasant hunting trips followed. John Malmquist was always a pleasant and enjoyable companion whose humor and friendship made each of these a joyful experience.
Yes, John will be sorely missed, by me and by those who knew and loved him. My purpose in keeping this Guest Book active for another twelve months is to invite all who have like stories of times spent with John to make repeated entries here. Help make it a lasting memorial to a truly great person, John Wesley Malmquist. If there are photos of John available, please post them here also.
God bless you and your family Virginia. May the Good Lord guide you along your way.

Rita Smith

December 25, 2008

Dad,
I miss you each and every day. Christmas was one of your very special holidays and with heavy heart we all celebrated if for the first time without you. I know you are with the Lord and Gene this Christmas. One day I will see you again. And I will take care of mom. Love,
Rita

Russell & Irene Smith

December 15, 2008

Virginia , Roger & Rita ,Debra,Buck & Randall so sorry for your loss John was such a warm hearted man. If any one deserves to be in Heaven it certainly is John. He will be missed he touched a lot of people.

Karen Rice

December 14, 2008

Virginia / Rita;
We are so sorry to hear of your loss.
We were long time neighbors and wanted you to know that we are thinking of you during this difficult time.

The Fegleys

Rocky Smith

December 13, 2008

Sorry to hear about your loss. John was quite a character and he will remain in out hearts forever. eh! dude. Tamera and I send our deepest sympathy -Rocky Smith

Debbie

December 12, 2008

I miss you so much Grandpa. I am comforted by the knowledge that we will all be together again one day and in the meantime, I feel blessed in knowing you are a new angel that will forever watch over me. I love you.

Rita Smith

December 12, 2008

Dad,
We will see you again "dude".
Love Rita and family

Bart Curiale

December 12, 2008

Rita, Sorry to hear about your fathers death. My thoughts are with you. Bart

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