Donald "Donny" Mallard

Donald Loy Mallard, 82, fought the good fight and found rest on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at Ogeechee Area Hospice in Statesboro. On August 9, 1943, he became the firstborn son of Bernard “Bunk” Hinton Mallard and Elma Weaver Mallard. He proudly served in the U.S. Army Reserve in the 1960s as a radio repairman. That led to operating Donny’s TV Service in Sylvania for over 40 years. He was married to the love of his life, Diane Lee Mallard, who preceded him in death, as did his parents and his sister, Cathy Mallard Joyner Lewis.

 As a local businessman, he joined the Gideons and was a member and officer of the Masonic Lodge. Donny’s military service led him to join and actively serve the local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the American Legion. Family and local history was a passion that had him join the Sons of the Confederacy, as well as regularly looking for, mowing, and cleaning cemeteries throughout the county. He also avidly collected Indian artifacts. 

Growing up in the Blue Springs area, he truly loved hunting and fishing, especially with friends. He remained optimistic that Lilly would become an excellent squirrel dog. He was a regular at several local hangouts, enjoying the food and conversation of gathering for breakfast, coffee, and Sunday dinner with friends and family. As a true believer and dedicated member of First Methodist Church of Sylvania, Donny was early for coffee before attending the Nell Pace Sunday School Class, operated the sound system for years, was part of the Methodist Men’s group, and established his favorite spot in the pews.

 Donny is survived by his two children, Dr. Stephen Donald Mallard (wife Sarah) of Birmingham, AL and Cindy Diane M. Clifton of Sylvania. He was the proud grandfather of four, Jonathan Loy Mallard, Catesby Mallard, Jayce Loy Clifton (wife Victoria), and Landon Hinton Clifton. He will be greatly missed by his brother, Kerry Mallard (wife Annora), a sister-in-law, Faith Jerald, a brother-in-law, Sonny Lee (wife Reba), and many cousins, relatives and friends. We suspect there was quite a happy gathering in heaven for him on Wednesday. 

The family will receive friends at First Methodist Church Sylvania on November 23, 2025 at 1:30pm followed by the funeral at 3:00pm. Pastor Dorsia Atkinson will officiate the service. The Nell Pace Sunday School Class and the Wall’s Coffee Club are to be honorary pallbearers.