Harry Hermaline Mallett, Jr.

July 19th, 1932 – May 29th, 2025

Harry Hermaline Mallett, Jr., son of Harry Mallett, Sr., and Amanda Josephine (Willis) Mallett, was born on July 19, 1932, in Los Angeles, California, at Los Angeles County General Hospital. Harry was the third child of three children in this union: Josephine, the oldest, Shirley, the second eldest (preceded him in death), and a younger sister, Patricia Mallett-Bennett, from Harry Mallett, Sr., and Frances Mallett.

Harry was baptized Catholic on May 22, 1943, in St. Patrick Catholic Church, with sponsors Louis and Thelma Keyser, and attended elementary and middle school in the Los Angeles Unified School District and graduated from Jefferson High School in June, 1950. Harry was a member of the Eastside Boys Club organization which was legally segregated at that time and assembled yearly to celebrate the Eastside experience until just a few years ago.

After graduation, Harry worked as an aircraft assembler from June to October 1952, and then worked at North American Aviation in Inglewood, California.

Harry met Alice Ann Adkins in June 1951, and married Alice on March 26, 1953, in the presence of his best friend, Louis Keyser. From this union, four children were born: Toni Diane, Stacey Ann, Garry Vincent, and Kelley Annette Mallett.

Harry joined the United States Armed Forces on November 18, 1952, and served in the Korean war as a hand-chosen cook for elite military officers, and as a Sergeant overseas in the Korean War. For combat missions, Harry was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Service Medal, WI International Brotherhood of Special Service (IBSS) United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Republic of Korea (ROK) Presidential Unit Citation, awarded by the South Korean government for outstanding service to the defense of the ROK. Harry was honorably discharged October 14, 1954.

Harry’s civilian career included Sky Capping with his Uncle, Bertrand Willis, with Lockheed Burbank Airport in 1955. After the LAX Airport expansion, Harry continued Sky Capping with American Airlines in 1959. Later, Harry was also employed by the Los Angeles County as a Safety Police Officer at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, later promoted to Los Angeles County Sherriff, protecting several County Health facilities until he retired.

Harry’s hobbies included owning “boxer dogs”, roller-skating, bowling team tournaments, swimming, horseback riding and on his own Appaloosa horse, Nightspot, Black Cowboy Club, Motorcycle riding on his powerful Kawasaki, billiards shooting pool, playing 8 Ball and 1 Pocket, motorhome camping in the infamous “Housdog” motorhome with the Early Birds Camping Club and his favorite card game, “Tonk”, where he won lots of money from his playing “partners”. Harry also was an exceptional marksman, auto mechanic, bbq pit-master, cook, repairman, and “Neighborhood Enforcer” to protect and nurture his community. Harry’s work ethic was second to none, working tirelessly to ensure his family was secure and provided for, as that was his nature.

Harry leaves behind his wife, Alice; his children, Toni Diane, Stacey Ann, Garry Vincent, Kelley Mallett; his sisters, Josephine and Patricia; and a host of relatives and friends. We ask that you share with us your individual stories of how Harry guided you, nurtured you, taught you, gave you wisdom, or money for whatever you needed, and how he enhanced your life. For we know Harry always left you better than he found you. In his memory, always do this for others.

A viewing for Harry will be held Monday, June 16, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Lighthouse Memorials & Receptions, Rice Center, 5310 Torrance Blvd, Torrance, CA 90503. A visitation will occur Tuesday, June 17, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Rice Center, 5310 Torrance Blvd, Torrance, CA 90503. The funeral service will occur Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at 11:00 AM, also at Rice Center, with Repart to follow until 2:00 PM. The graveside service will occur Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Boulevard, Riverside, CA 92518.