Michael David Malone
12/1/1948 - 11/3/2023
Michael David Malone was born December 1st 1948 to Jack & Brooksie Malone. He & his sister Molly were raised in the panhandle of Texas near Amarillo. Mike was a very gifted child; he read by age 3 & knew every U.S. president in chronological order. During his childhood, he spent an extraordinary amount of time outdoors, canoed through Canada, & learned skills that earned him the prestigious honor of Eagle Scout. Always the entrepreneur, Mike often drew caricatures of classmates to earn money for his record collection & later graduated from Canyon High School in 1967.
In college, Mike pursued an Art degree from New Mexico Highlands University. He studied watercolor, printmaking, & painting in New Mexico where he lived until 1975. Upon returning to Texas he pursued music & leather design as he applied his knowledge in cowboy gear to design & make western hats in Austin & Fort Worth. His artistry grew & he learned mostly by the seat of his britches!
Through the years, he designed creations for Emmy Lou Harris, Ian Tyson, Jerry Jeff Walker, Michael Murphy, Willie Nelson, Peter Rowan, Lyle Lovett, & The Rolling Stones. He continued to perfect his craftsmanship, traveled to shows, exhibits, & met some of his best customers & friends along the way.
While living in Fort Worth he also became “Uncle Mike” to his 2 nieces, Hillary & Elizabeth, who idolized him for his ability to quickly spell naughty words with wooden blocks while no one was looking & humorously antagonize their mom to no end. His attention & playfulness as an uncle gave him top billing & was always viewed as the life of the party!
In 2005, Mike moved to Stieler Hill Ranch in Comfort, Texas & expanded his custom hat making business. His one-of-a-kind hats sold at the Luckenbach General Store as well as numerous boutiques throughout the Hill Country. His interest in historically authentic designs reflected the older style Californian influences of the vaquero as well as the Taos & Santa Fe mountain men. Michael’s handmade hats were featured in numerous TV & film productions such as: Lonesome Dove, Tombstone, The Alamo, & Wyatt Earp. He also served on the board of Michael Martin Murphy's West Fest.
15 years ago, a brand-new chapter of the “Uncle Mike Fan Club” started when the 2nd generation of his nieces & nephews arrived. Mary Claire, Lydia, Caroline, Cydney, Beatrice, Andrew, & Zachary could not have loved their, larger than life, uncle one bit more! He immediately sealed a place in their hearts as they adored Uncle Mike too...with each silly face, funny story, or little life lesson he shared.
Michael Malone was a friend to many, a true Texas treasure, & an artist in every sense of the word. His leatherwork, hat making, & jewelry were exceptional works of art. In fact, he had the ability to make art from anything…pottery, canvas, clothing, words, & even flour tortillas (for fashioning funny faces, of course). Mike was a voracious reader, passionate about history, growing plants, watching old movies, music, & nature of all kinds. He could be both silly & soulful in the same breath. Most of all he cherished his friends & family across Texas & beyond. Michael Malone left a long-lasting legacy of art, friendship, & love for us all to remember. We’re heartbroken by his loss, but continue to celebrate Mike’s life & the time he was given on this earthly plane. Let us honor him by singing a tune, telling a great story, or spreading a little kindness. His memory will live on.
Michael was preceded in death by his father Jack Alexander Malone, & mother Brooksie Nell (Hill) Malone, along with his twin sisters Janet & Janelle. He is survived by his sister Molly (Kay) Malone Pittman & brother in law of 47 years, Tom Pittman; niece, Hillary (Malone) Pittman Hesse & husband Dustan, along with their children: Caroline Elizabeth, Cydney Catherine, Beatrice Campbell, Andrew Thomas, & Zachary Michael Hesse; niece Elizabeth (Brooke) Pittman Morris & husband Ronnie, along with their 2 children: Mary Claire & Lydia Rose Morris. Last but never least, he is survived by countless amigos, ‘pards’ & beloved buckaroos. Vaya con Dios, Michael.
{Interment will be held privately at the historic Oakwood Cemetery in Fort Worth, Texas.}
MICHAEL MALONE MEMORIAL CAMPFIRE GATHERING ~December 8th 2023
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/bDUCg4BSmXgd9GdA/?mibextid=qi2Omg
(credit: by Terry Tex Tolar via Facebook)
“We lost a true Texas Treasure and friend to many with the sudden passing of hat and trappings maker extraordinaire, Michael Malone. So, to honor and celebrate the legacy of our friend—who decorated our heads and inspired our wardrobes with his creations, come to Luckenbach December 8, 2023. Wear your Michael Malone hat and best 1870s-like Malone get up. Bring a guitar if you pick and/ or sing, camp stool or light chair, and a serape or blanket in case of cold weather and/or rain.
We’ll gather 2-5 pm at the Memorial Campfire across the footbridge near the Dancehall to pay tributes, share stories, pick and sing a bit, the way Michael would have enjoyed it. Michael’s family will be in attendance.
We’ll have some light Texas fare in case you miss lunch while traveling.
At 6-9 pm, Michael’s friend, Bob Livingston, will play in the Dancehall.
Nearby Fredericksburg books up quickly and fully during the holidays, so if you CAN make it, you’re advised to make reservations asap. Your RSVP would be appreciated by December 5 as a courtesy for our planning, but not required to attend.
Link to the Fredericksburg CVB lodging page:
https://www.visitfredericksburgtx.com/hotels-lodging/...
For more information, please call or text Tex Toler 512-568-5034 or Becky Patterson 830-377-1571.”
Obituary Provided By:
www.grimesfuneralchapels.com
info@grimesfuneralchapels.com
830-257-4544
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