James John Mallock

Beloved by all who knew him, our devoted father, grandfather, uncle, and cousin, James John Mallock, departed this mortal dispensation on July 14th, 2025, reuniting with his spouse Vicky, who preceded him in death in 2020.

Jim was born on January 27th, 1935 in Union, New Jersey into a family of Eastern European immigrants, his father from Ukraine and mother from (what later became) Czechoslovakia. Jim's paternal grandparents, Samuel and Anna Malecki, emigrated from Ukraine in the 1910's, and settled in New Jersey. The original family name Malecki became Mallock by the time Jim had started school.

His early years were marked with hardship and loss. Money and leisure were scarce. When Jim was only 3 years old, his mother contracted tuberculosis and died, leaving him and his older sister Dolores without their primary caretaker. While Jim's dad worked to support the family, his grandmother Anna, known in the family as Bopchie, assumed the role of raising Jim and his sister. Bopchie never learned English, so Jim grew up speaking Ukrainian as his primary language at home until the age of 13.

Jim's father eventually remarried, and in 1948 the family moved out west to Van Nuys, California, where Jim attended high school and graduated in 1952. Right after graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. Jim would go on to serve more than three decades in uniform.

Over the long arc of his military service, he received numerous honors and distinctions. A decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, Jim earned eight Bronze Stars for meritorious action in combat zones. As an aircraft loadmaster, he flew long-haul supply missions all over the world, from Greenland to New Zealand, ultimately logging 30,000 flight hours. Jim attained the rank of Chief Master Sergeant, the highest enlisted rank, held by 1% of the enlisted forces. By Air Force tradition, he was thereafter known as "Chief."

Jim married the love of his life, Vicky Hatch, in 1967, while stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii. Their first child was born the following year. Jim and Vicky would go on to have five more children, four of them born in different states, the youngest born in Germany. Jim was a devoted father and loving spouse to Vicky, helping her with the children as much as possible so she could pursue her dreams. Raising six kids while moving every 2-3 years required a "team effort," which Jim embraced with patience and dedication.

The flag was flown over the US Capitol in his honor when Jim retired from the Air Force in 1987, age 52. Still with a family to support, he then went to work for the civil service on base. In 2006, Jim received a special recognition for having reached the rare plateau of 50 years of combined service to the federal government. After an entire lifetime of work, from a 7-year old shoeshine boy to 70-year old Chief, Jim finally decided to hang up his boots.

Being of service is one of the defining features of Jim's long and venerable life - service not only to his country and family, but also to his fellow man. With kids at home and working full-time, Jim for many years got up at 6 a.m. every Sunday to volunteer at the shelter downtown and cook meals for hundreds at a time. The Red Cross gave him a lifetime award for having donated 30 gallons of blood (240 pints) over two decades. He kept a stack of dollar bills handy in case he came by someone in need.

In his later years, you could find Jim reading the newspapers at the local library every day. Once a week he met his military buddies at the bowling alley cafe on base to reminisce. Most recently, Jim celebrated his 90th birthday this year in a big party surrounded by his many loved ones.

Jim's life began in deprivation but ended in abundance. His kindness and generosity were legendary. When asked for help, he gave unconditionally. Jim embodied benevolence and grace.

Many lessons can be learned from his long life. Among them, Jim showed us you can have a life of achievement and honor, yet remain humble. He showed us that there is dignity in lifelong work and service. Most of all, he showed us how to love.

For the legacy that this great-souled man leaves us with, we salute the Chief!

Jim is survived by his six children: James II (Cynthia), Kari (Jim), Harvey, Francie (Aaron), Shannon (Bahram), and Starr (Mike). He is also survived by twelve grandchildren: Jordan, Katie, Chloe, Jake, Sam, Shadooneh, Vera, Tesla, Lennon, Holland, Blu, Memphis.