Michael Key Malone
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Michael Key Malone, of Dallas, was granted his angel wings late morning of June 23rd, following a two and a half year battle with neuroblastoma. Michael spent his final days surrounded by the love of his family and supported by a huge community here and across the country.
On June 7th Michael celebrated his 7th birthday. He may have had led a short life in terms of time, but the list of his accomplishments was long. Michael was president of his kindergarten class at Meadowbrook School in Dallas. He was the leading rebounder on his Meadowbrook Mavericks basketball team. He was made an honorary member of the North Texas Homeland Security Team. He was friends with Dallas Mavericks, Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys, and hoped someday to play professional baseball. He flew the space shuttle trainer in Houston with the head of astronaut training corps, and his photo flew in the command module of the ISS. He earned over 1,500 beads of courage – each bead representing a procedure, treatment or surgery he endured during his long and difficult journey.
Yet his biggest accomplishment was what he left behind: a spirit that never wavered, a heart that would not stop giving, and a smile and laugh that no one will ever forget. His ability to bounce back from the troughs of treatment, to persevere in the face of pain, to celebrate the blessing of each new day and the joy of planning for the next, taught all around him to live their lives to the best of their abilities. He possessed grace, wisdom and knowledge far beyond his years. His greatest gift was to remind us all that life is to be lived to its fullest, that surrender is not an option, and that unconditional love can work miracles.
Michael leaves behind his classmates at the Meadowbrook School, his wonderful teachers, his coaches and teammates and the extraordinary doctors, nurses and caregivers he shared many long hours with along the way. Their love and support carried Michael and his family through the unrelenting challenges of the past two and a half years. Michael is survived by his loving parents, Michael and Alison Malone, his sisters Emory and Jennie, and his brothers Patrick and Sam.
Funeral service was Tuesday, June 26, at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, 8011 Douglas Ave., Dallas, Texas. Private interment at Hillcrest Memorial Park followed. In lieu of flowers, donations in Michael’s honor can be made to The Michael K. Malone Fund at Wipe Out Kids Cancer (www.wokc.org) or St. Michael and All Angels Church (saintmichael.org). Please visit www.sparkman-hillcrest.com.
