Malbert Middlesworth was born on 1/31/1923 in a small town in central Illinois named Cowden. He had a twin brother at birth (Malcolm) who died soon after due to his very small birth weight. Five years later, Mal’s mother and father welcomed another son, Bill. The boys loved all sports, especially baseball and basketball. Their parents, Rex and Lillian, owned the local music store in Elgin IL during which time Mal got interested in music and started his own dance band. He met his future wife, JoJean in high school and soon Mal would join the US Marine Corps when he was only 17, He served on the SS San Francisco when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. When the war ended, he and JoJean married in San Diego on 4/1/1944. He enrolled at Coe College, where he finished in 2½ yrs.
Mal had a satisfying career in business, specifically marketing, and eventually retired in California. There he became involved in the Pearl Harbor Survivors Organization and eventually became President and editor of their quarterly newsletter. He and Jo Jean loved traveling to and playing many golf courses around the country including Pebble Beach and Augusta National Golf Club. Eventually they came to Fort Collins CO where their youngest daughter and oldest granddaughter reside.
Recently Mal celebrated his 100th birthday with friends and family. His dear wife, JoJean passed away on 8/30/2020. He was preceded in death by his son Terry Middlesworth and his brother Bill Middlesworth.. He is survived by two daughters, Cheryl Griffin and Sue Cox, five grandchildren, Jaime Peterson, Sarah Manwarren, Joey Griffin, Melissa Stepler, Ricky Middlesworth, and six great grandchildren Maddy, Lennie, Parker and Lincoln Manwarren, Tera and William Stepler.
