Ned Irwin Malcolm

Ned Irwin Malcolm died Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, in Seaside, Oregon, just 11 days after the death of his wife of nearly 72 years, Geri Malcolm.

He was born Sept. 20, 1927, in Dayton, Ohio, and was the only child of Duff and Hazel Malcolm.

He attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, before enlisting in the Army in 1945. He was stationed in Japan as a paratrooper, played piano in a military jazz group and later edited an Army newsletter. He remained a music lover, writer and avid reader all of his life.

After his military service, he returned to Dayton and married Geraldine Haines, whom he had met three years earlier when the two were still in high school. They had two children, and celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary Nov. 12, 2018.

He worked in Danville, Illinois, for Hyster, which in 1960 sent him to Portland, where the family settled and enjoyed trips to the Oregon Coast and the mountains. His career also included positions at Abbott, Kerns and Bell and Graphic Arts Center.

He belonged to the Arlington Club for many years and served on the board of the Multnomah Athletic Club, where he enjoyed the lifetime friendships of the handball community.

Ned was courtly, genial and always a gentleman, and a snappy dresser who was partial to crisp button-down shirts, classic polos, corduroys and loafers. He loved a good cigar and jazz, and once drafted his own novel inspired by the stories of suspense he enjoyed so much.

He was a loving and supportive father and a doting grandfather, bestowing his three grandchildren with much-prized hand-drawn birthday cards and original designs painted on sweatshirts.

Ned and Geri retired to their Gearhart vacation home, where he volunteered for the Seaside Public Library for many years, joined the Elks and sometimes poked fun at their small-town life.

They later moved to Seaside and remained active in their church and social groups. Along with his wife, he was an avid bridge player and crossword puzzler.

He is survived by his son, Chris Malcolm (Anne Mangan) of Portland; daughter Jane Verdurmen (Ed) of Gearhart; grandchildren Hadley Malcolm (Sam Kallevig) of Brooklyn, New York, Dorothy Davenport (Cody) of Portland and Hank Verdurmen of San Francisco.

A joint celebration of life for Ned and Geri will take place at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 12, at Seaside United Methodist Church, 241 N. Holladay Drive.

Donations may be made to the Seaside Public Library or the Multnomah Athletic Foundation.