John Cari Malcomb

John was born Sept. 17, 1953, to Delmar and Verna (Thornton) Malcomb in Galax, Va., and grew up in nearby Independence, Va.

He attended Independence High School where he excelled as both a football and basketball player — once scoring 30 points in a single half against local rival Oak Hill Academy. He also began a lifelong love of music when he learned to play guitar and part of a rock and roll band in southwest Virginia. After graduating from Independence in 1971 and an unsuccessful run for mayor, John attended Wytheville Community College and then Pfeiffer College in Meisenheimer, N.C., where he studied sociology, psychology and criminal justice. John’s athletic ability led him to the Falcons’ tennis team, but, more importantly, that is where he met his wife, Jane Davis Malcomb. John and Jane were married May 31, 1975. By 1977 they had welcomed their first child and in 1979 moved into the home they shared until Tuesday. John continued playing tennis for many years and was a holy terror on the Country Haven courts. Perhaps more than sports, John loved to make a joyful noise for the Lord and was a lay speaker and worship leader at Union United Methodist Church, Wesley Chapel, N.C. Over the last 25 years he took up the banjo, mandolin and bass guitar and played in several local bluegrass bands, including the GrassStains and the Quail Hollow Band. Those who didn’t know him too well could be forgiven for thinking his first love was Clemson football games on Saturday at Death Valley. John loved the Tigers, but the guiding force of John’s life was his faith and his love for his wife and three children, James Delmar, Mary Kate (Postle) and John Andrew. He seemed to never miss an opportunity to smile at one of them and say, “I love you.”

John was predeceased by his parents and one child that never got the opportunity to see this world.

He is survived by his wife Jane and his three children, Jamey (Lisa), Mary Kate (Jacob) and Andrew (Alicia) as well as his two grandsons, Ian Davis Postle and Clayton Delmar Postle. He is also survived by his Uncle Dan (Doris Jean) Thornton and Aunt Virginia Jones as well as many friends, nieces, nephews and cousins who will all miss him dearly.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, September 28, 2025 from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm at McEwen Funeral Home of Monroe, located at 204 South Main Street, Monroe, North Carolina. A funeral service to celebrate John’s life will be held on Monday, September 29, 2025 at Union United Methodist Church, located at 6315 New Town Rd., Waxhaw, North Carolina with Rev. Brad Cunningham officiating. Burial will follow immediately after the service at the church cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcewenmonroechapel.com for the Malcomb family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Union United Methodist Church, 6415 New Town Rd., Waxhaw, North Carolina, 28173.

McEwen Funeral Home of Monroe is honored to serve the family of John Cari Malcomb.