With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Thomas Charles Malone on March 5, 2025, following a courageous 16-year battle with cancer. Known to most as “Tom,” he was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, coach, and friend. A longtime resident of Sandy, Oregon, he was 72 years old.
Tom was born on September 1, 1952, in Los Angeles, California. His parents divorced when he was young, and he quickly took on the role of protector and helper to his mother and younger siblings. Despite hardships, Tom always described his childhood as wonderful, thanks to the unwavering love and strength of his mother, Betty. Her resilience in the face of adversity became his guiding force, inspiring him throughout his life, particularly during his battle with cancer.
From an early age, Tom excelled in athletics, but it was in high school at Fountain Valley that his talents truly flourished. As the starting quarterback for the Barons, he made his mark on the football field, but his high school years weren’t just about sports. As a junior he and some friends decided to prank Cheri Trowbridge by TP’ing her house—only to be caught and sternly reprimanded by her father. Little did he know that years later, that same man would become his father-in-law when Tom married Cheri’s younger sister, Linda—the love of his life and his devoted partner for 47 years.
Tom continued his education and athletic career at Orange Coast College and the University of Redlands before earning his degree in Recreation Administration from Long Beach State. After college, he worked as a racquetball pro while also building a career in carpentry during Southern California’s housing boom. He and Linda married in 1977, welcoming their son, T.D., the following year. Four years later, their family was complete with the arrival of their daughter, Molly.
In 1985, the Malones moved north to Sandy, Oregon, where they would put down deep roots. Though he never let go of his Southern California identity, Sandy became home. Together, Tom and Linda made an immeasurable impact on the community, earning a reputation as a true small-town power couple.
Tom’s heart—and his back—weren’t destined for carpentry, and before long, he found his true calling in coaching. Initially volunteering for his children’s youth teams, he eventually began working at Sandy High School, where he became a beloved mentor to countless students. During his 23-year career at SHS, he took on many roles, from overseeing security and supervising study hall to coaching football, basketball, volleyball, softball, and racquetball. Coaching wasn’t just a job for Tom; it was a passion. While he cherished the opportunity to coach his own children, his impact extended far beyond them. Generations of students were lucky to call him “Coach Malone,” and his influence as a mentor will live on in the lives he touched.
As much as Tom loved being a father and coach, his greatest joy came with the arrival of his first grandchild, McKenzie, in 2008. Finn, Maggie, and Murphy soon followed, and together they became the center of his universe. He reveled in Finn’s jam sessions, cheered proudly at McKenzie’s soccer games, admired Maggie’s artistic talents, and cherished sleepovers with Murphy. His grandkids were his heart, and he was theirs.
Tom loved his life and fought hard to keep it going. While he will be deeply missed, his spirit lives on in the countless lives he impacted. The family extends eternal gratitude to the dedicated medical professionals whose expertise and care gave Tom more time with those he loved.
There’s no way to capture the full essence of Tom’s life, but those who knew him will remember:
· His insistence on wearing shorts year-round
· His loud demeanor and deep voice
· His love of Diet Coke and “waxies”
· His passion for talking music, current events, and politics
· His immense pride for his Irish roots
· His talent for capturing special moments on film
· His penchant for light beer
· His enthusiasm for family vacations—especially at Lake Tahoe
· His stubbornness, perseverance, and awe-inspiring toughness
· His willingness to “believe,” even in the face of uncertainty
· And, above all, his unwavering love for family and lifelong friends
Tom is survived by his wife, Linda; children, T.D. and Molly; grandchildren, McKenzie, Finn, Maggie, and Murphy; and siblings, Kathy Leeks, Traci Malone, Adam Badgett, and Colin Malone. He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas J. Malone; his mother, Betty Badgett; and his brother, Terry Malone.
A celebration of Tom’s life will be held at 3pm on April 12, 2025, at Cedar Ridge Middle School’s main gym. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to No Pioneer Left Behind in honor of Tom’s enduring legacy of love and determination.