Allen L. Mallory

Allen L. Mallory, age 74, of Waukee, Iowa, a longtime grocer and businessman in Stuart, Iowa, passed away Monday, August 2, 2010, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.

"Big Al," as he was affectionately known, was born July 2, 1936, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Andrew and Mattie Mallory. He was raised in Council Bluffs, and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1954. During High School Al belonged to the ROTC and following graduation enlisted in the Army Reserves. Al was united in marriage to Beulah "Boots" Green, on June 8, 1958, at Grace Presbyterian Church in Council Bluffs. To this union five children were born: Julie, Allen Jr. "Skip", Kelly, Jeff and Matt. Al spent his entire working career in the grocery business. He started working at Rog and Scotty's Super Value in Council Bluffs, eventually becoming their youngest store manager. On July 1, 1968, Al and his family moved to Stuart and purchased the Super Value store from Marion and Carl Carlson. The store was located in the building now occupied by True Value. In July of 1976, Al and Boots built and opened their new store on the south side of Stuart.

Al was very proud to call Stuart his home. He was a longtime member of the First Congregational Church, and served as the board president for many years. Al was also president of the Council Bluffs Jaycees and a member of the Jr. Chamber of Commerce, Toastmasters, Masonic Lodge, and the utility board in Stuart. Al enjoyed participating and organizing several events throughout the years. He helped coordinate firework displays and sponsored the "Little Miss Stuart" contest for the Good Egg Days festival, as well as many other events which included watermelon and pancake feeds, contests and promotions. He was extremely honored to be the Grand Marshal of the 1993 Good Egg Days Parade. Al received "The Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame" award from Governor Terry Branstad in 1996. He also helped support and raise money for the soccer complex in Stuart. Al was an avid Iowa Cubs fan and was proud of the fact that he never missed a game. He also enjoyed playing Pinochle, recycling, giving out treats at Halloween, donating to local food pantries, his Saturday trips to Stuart, meeting his friends at McDonald's, and spending time with his family.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Andy and George; and sister, Jean.

Al leaves behind his beloved wife, Boots, of Waukee; children, Julie Paetznick, of Stuart, Allen "Skip" Mallory Jr., of West Des Moines, Kelly Mallory, of West Des Moines, Jeff Mallory, of Waukee, Matt Mallory and his wife, Lana, of Norwalk; two brothers, Howard (Lola) Mallory, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Henry (Jane) Mallory, of Papillion, Neb.; grandchildren, Nicholas (Kassie) Mallory, Corey Paetznick, Ashley (Drew) Vanderheiden, Christine Mallory, and Lucas Mallory; great grandchildren, Jaiden and Makenna Mallory and Blaine Vanderheiden; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends all of whom will miss him greatly.

Visitation will be in the Fellowship Hall at the Congregational Church, Thursday, August 5, from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the First Congregational Church, in Stuart, at 10 a.m., Friday, August 6, 2010. Internment will follow the services at the South Oak Grove Cemetery in Stuart. Memorial contributions can be made to the Raccoon River Bible Camp. Online condolences may be left at www.johnsonfamilyfuneralhome.com.

This obituary was originally published in The Daily Nonpareil.