Darryl Wayne Malone

Darryl Wayne Malone was born in Washington, D.C. on the 29th of August 1952 to Theo and Claude Forrest Malone. They moved to Seabrook in 1964 and began attending Nassau Bay Baptist Church. Darryl was a wild child whose life changed at the age of 13 when a new music and youth minister and his family joined the church. Sheri Mitchell was the epitome of the sweet "girl next door" who captured his heart and never let it go. He graduated from Clear Creek High School in 1970 and went on to the University of Texas in Austin while Sheri attended Oklahoma Baptist. Not being able to see each other daily brought them both back to Houston, within their first year apart, to attend University of Houston. They married their junior year on the 23rd of December 1972 and graduated from college in 1974. Darryl majored in Math for his undergraduate degree and had a brilliant mind for it. He was accepted to University of Texas Law School and moved to Austin with his bride.

His first job out of law school was in Houston with a firm named Woodard, Hall, and Primm. He made partner in 1982 and spent many years with the firm. He then made the difficult decision to leave his first work home and join Jenkins and Gilchrist before eventually settling at Gilpin, Paxson and Birsch. After deciding that he really would enjoy having partners' meetings in his car by himself, he went out on his own to practice. Darryl was a well-respected lawyer who was able to focus on the heart of his cases and not get distracted by the details. Juries loved his quick wit and concise delivery, for he always said that the key to good communication is brevity.

Darryl was a very family-centered man calling his wife his "girlfriend" until the day he died. He was utterly devoted to his girls, Melanie and Amy, and was involved in many aspects of their lives. Darryl loved experiencing new places and things with his family by his side. He and Sheri taught Sunday School at both River Oaks Baptist Church and Tallowood Baptist Church. He loved feeling connected to the kids, teaching God's Word in his own way, and knowing his girls' friends and peers. Darryl, loving God and knowing Him as his LORD and Savior, but having been the "wild one" at an early age, was uniquely qualified to mentor the young men. They adored and respected him, and he was honored to call them friends.

Darryl started riding motorcycles at a very early age and loved riding his Harley with his girls. In his later years, Darryl loved being a part of the motorcycle club, Thin Blue Line, where he was the consigliere and, more recently, a Nomad…and an Indian rider. He cherished the friendships he made through the club and enjoyed the camaraderie.

Darryl's mathematical mind and musical ear made it easy for him to hear and recall music notes. He loved strumming on his various guitars and delighting his girls with both classic and popular music, as well as silly songs like "The Bomb Song" by Randy Newman.

He was a friend to all. He wore his heart on his sleeve and would drop everything to help someone in need. Anyone who knew him well knew that if you couldn't handle the truth you shouldn't ask for his opinion. Darryl was a fiercely loyal friend. The extent of his influence is boundless, and we know that he did so much good in his 65 years on Earth.

Darryl is survived by his "girlfriend" and love of his life, Sheri; his precious daughters, Melanie and Amy, his Heaven-sent sons-in-law, Ryan Criswell and Jeremy Wallner; and his most-adored grandsons, Mitchell and Graham. He also leaves behind his father, C.F. Malone; three sisters, Dawn Hahn (husband Mark), Molly McClelland, and Julianne Malone; mother-in-law, Melba Mitchell; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Terri and Eddie Mitchell; countless nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; and last but not least, his four-legged babies Abbey, Heidi, Olivia, Ace and Sally.

A memorial service and celebration of life is to be conducted at one o'clock in the afternoon on Thursday, the 1st of February, in the Worship Center at Houston’s First Baptist Church, 7401 Katy Freeway in Houston, where Rick Jones is to officiate.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Main Foyer.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in his name be directed to the Thin Blue Line Foundation (www.thinbluelinelemc.com); or to the American Heart Association; 10900-B Stonelake Blvd., Ste. 320, Austin, TX 78759.

Darryl's family takes comfort in the knowledge that he loved God and is now in Heaven with beloved family members, friends and dogs that have passed before him.