James R. Malott

Beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great grandfather passed away peacefully Saturday, December 27, 2025 surrounded by his family. Age 92 years. Son of the late Leonard and Margaret (Osterman) Malott, James was born June 9, 1933 in Saginaw, Michigan. He served proudly in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was member of American Legion Post #439. Jim married the love of his life, Sara Ellen Score, on October 18, 1952. They were married 66 years together before her passing on June 23, 2019. Jim was owner and operator of Malott Vending for 55 years. He was a member of the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption, Knights of Columbus Council #4232 and past member of Christ the Good Shepherd Parish. On Saturday's during football season, he could be found watching or attending his beloved Michigan Wolverines, he loved his Maize and Blue! On Sunday's during the summer, he would be by the pool grilling his famous ribs. Above all, Jim loved his family and was known to his grandchildren as "Papa".
Surviving to cherish his memory are five daughters and one son, Cindy Heinz (Tim Hodges), Karen (Dan) Markey, Jamie Thompson (Scott Kaleyta), Libby (Roger) Richter, Lisa Malott (Jeff Jezak) and Ronald Malott (Julia Morris); his grandchildren, Cari, Heidi, Leah, Kaytlyn (Chazz), Ryan, Lauryn, Sophia (Alexis), Samuel (Alaina), Stella, Mitchell, Madison (Andrew), Nathan and Alex; great-grandchildren, Nikolas, Jacob, Cyruss, Cruz, Callie, Carson, Maverick and Levi; great-great-grandson, Robert; his brother, Leonard P. Malott Jr. and sister-in-law, Kay Score and several nieces and nephews. James was preceded in death by his sisters, Margaret (Don) Dubay, Kate (Ted) Vlassis, Joan (Tom) Schoen and Pat (Tom) Chelsky, his brother, Chuck (Ruth) Malott, sister-in-law Jean Malott, brother-in-law Jim Score and his son-in-law, Jonny Heinz.
Funeral Liturgy will take place 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 3, 2026, at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption, 615 Hoyt Ave., Saginaw, Michigan 48607. Rev. Fr. William Rutkowski will officiate. Military Services will be conducted by American Legion Post #439 and the U.S. Army. Honoring Mr. Malott's wishes, cremation will follow. Friends may visit at, (and please wear your Michigan apparel), The Snow Funeral Home, 3775 N. Center Rd. (between Shattuck and McCarty), where the family will be present on Friday January 2, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until time of Mass. The Knights of Columbus Council #4232 will pray the Rosary at 3:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption or East Side Soup Kitchen. A special thank you to the staff of Covenant at Hospice and the Hoyt Nursing Home that took such wonderful care of dad during his final days.