PALESTINE — Ralph Walter Mallard, 86, of Palestine passed away on Dec. 19, 2012 while in hospice care.  

Mr. Mallard is survived by his children, Becky Hibbard (Bob) of Quitman, Wayne Mallard (Sally) of Palestine and Patricia Bowling (Michael) of Bethel; grandchildren, Courtney Ellison (Keith) of Palestine, Clayton Jones of Fairfield, Emily Boyd (Jason) South Fork, Colo., Lex Anne Royle of Bethel; great-grandchildren, Erika Beasley (Clyde) of Bullard, Taylor Hughes of Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Addison Royle of Bethel, Chris McBride (Chelsie) of Palestine; and great-great-granddaughters, Ashlyn, Cami and Payton of Palestine and Chloe McBride of Palestine; as well as sister, Marjorie Vickery of Palestine.

Mr. Mallard was preceded in death by his loving wife of 61 years, Shirley Crutchfield Mallard in 2009; as well as parents, Mollie and Walter Mallard; sisters, Oleta Mallard and Mae Warren; and brothers, R.C. Mallard, Roy Mallard and Rufus Mallard.

Mr. Mallard was born Dec. 11, 1926, in Palestine and lived here his entire life, except for his military service. He served in the United States Army in the Pacific Theater during World War II and was assigned to the 1123rd Military Police Company in the Philippines. After the war, Mr. Mallard studied Vocational Cabinet Making under a program designed for returning GI’s, and as a result, he created many pieces of fine furniture which have been enjoyed by his children and grandchildren through the succeeding decades. Mr. Mallard later obtained employment as a machinist with the Knox Glass Company and retired from there after 35 years.

Mr. Mallard was known for his fine gardening skills, and produced bumper crops of vegetables every year which he shared with relatives and neighbors. Passersby would stop their cars to marvel at the perfect symmetry of his garden rows, a garden in which the first week was not allowed to thrive. A lover of nature, Mr. Mallard greatly enjoyed sitting in his yard and watching wildlife.

Mr. Mallard spent the last few years of his life under the watchful care of Greenbrier Nursing Home, and was a favorite patient of the Greenbrier staff. Special thanks to Solaris Hospice, especially his precious aide Brenda Reece.

Pallbearers will be Clayton Jones, Taylor Hughes, Bob Hibbard, Michael Bowling, Jason Boyd, Keith Ellison, Richard Roy and Clyde Beasley.

Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, at Land of Memory Cemetery with the Rev. Lynn Stroud officiating.  Arrangements are under the direction of Bailey & Foster, Palestine.

Condolence calls will be received from 6 to 7 p.m. today at Bailey & Foster Palestine.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to Solaris Hospice, 1521 S. Loop 256, Palestine, Texas, 75801.

To view online, leave condolences or sign guestbook go to www.baileyandfosterfuneralhome.com