Dick was born in
Indianapolis, Indiana and Katie was born in Dayton, Ohio. "Flying airplanes is almost genetic,"
says Dick. His dad was a
barnstorm pilot, performing at State and County Fairs prior to his birth. He
was an Army Air Corps Reserve Pilot in the late twenties and early 1030’s.
When WWII began Dick’s Dad closed his business, and moved the family to
Greenville AFB, Mississippi where he instructed Basic Pilot Training in the
BT-13. After the war they relocated to Dayton, Ohio where his Dad was a
Civil Service Employee in Air Force Procurement at Wright Patterson AFB,
Ohio.
Dick graduated from Fairborn High School in Fairborn,
Ohio. Living next to Wright Patterson and attending the Air Shows, one of
his biggest thrills was watching the new P-80 fighter jet perform. That
dream became a reality when he learned to fly jets in the two seated version
of the P-80, the T-33.
Before Pilot Training, Dick served as an Air Traffic
Controller specializing in GCA Radar at Wright Patterson AFB.
May 12, 1954 was a big day for both Dick and Katie.
Katie pinned on his 2nd Lt Gold Bars, his Pilot Silver Wings and
a couple hours later they were married in a Military Wedding at Greenville
AFB, Mississippi.
Because of Air Traffic Control experience, they were
assigned to Houston, Texas, and then Robins AFB, Georgia as a Flight
Inspection Pilot. Over the next 19 years, the Malones lived twice in Warner
Robins, twice in Germany, twice in Oklahoma City, and once in the
Philippines. While involved in Flight Inspection Dick flew numerous
aircraft, including the C-47, C-45, C-54, T-33, T-29, B-47, B-25, T-39
Saberliner, and C-140 Jetstar. During his Air Force career Dick graduated
from Air Traffic Control Tower School, GCA Radar Controller School, Advanced
Air Traffic Control Course, USAF Jet Pilot School, FAA Flight Inspection
Pilot School, Squadron Officers Air University Course, Lockheed Jetstar
Systems School, and Air Force Instrument Pilot Instructor Course. The Korean
War interrupted College work at the University of Dayton. While in the Air
Force he completed two years at the University of Georgia through night
classes, and over two years at the University of Maryland followed by six
months on campus at the University of Nebraska in Omaha. He graduated with
a major in Business, a minor in Meteorology, and a minor in Military
Science.
Dick retired from the Air Force July 31, 1972 as a Lt
Colonel. He retired with over 21 years and 9,000 hours military flying
time, of which 920 hours were low altitude in the combat zone over Vietnam
and Laos. Since retiring he has added close to 3,000 hours civilian time.
Dick then entered civilian life and began another
21-year career in Corporate Real Estate, including four years of selecting
sites and making land deals for Hardees Food System in the Southeast. The
remainder of his Corporate Real Estate Career was as Director of Real Estate
and Construction for Rollins, Inc. This position manages all Real Estate
activities nationally, including leasing, sale and purchases, design, and
construction management for Rollins and Orkin. He retired again in July
1965.
Dick and Katie were introduced to the old Flying Rebels
by Vernon Lemmon in 1979. Dick has since served as Secretary Treasurer,
Vice President of Adventure and Romance, twice as President and twice as
Chairman of the Board. Dick and Katie were regular participants in the
Rebel 600 Race. He finished third once, second four times, and won the race
with Vernon Lemmon as his copilot in 1993. Katie has served 13 years as a
call girl, and three years as Chairman of Call Girls. She is now serving her
second year as Sunshine Lady. The now Georgia Flyers has been a very
important part of their lives for over 28 years.
Dick and Katie have three sons and five grandchildren.
