Thomas “Tinker” Whitlock Malone, 73, of Russellville passed away Oct. 2 at North Alabama Medical Center.  

Born in Russellville, he was a veteran, having retired from the Alabama Army National Guard 115th Signal Battalion after 37 years of service as staff sergeant and recruiter. He was the Franklin Veterans Service Officer for ten years with Veterans Affairs. Most recently he was employed with Walmart as a sales associate.  

A 1966 graduate of Russellville High School, he also attended NW0SCC and UNA. A member of First Baptist Church Russellville, he also served four terms on the Russellville City Council and was a member of the Kiwanis Club and American Legion. 

Visitation will be held Oct. 6 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church Russellville. Funeral services immediately follow at 1 p.m. Speakers are Dr. Gene Balding, Richard Parker and Chase Dowdy. Pallbearers include Barry Hargett, Barry Moore, Freddy Kimbrough, Jeff Bowling, Hugh Plott, and Jerry King. Honorary pallbearers are Ellis Davis, W. C. Hovater, Larry Thornton, Joe Porter, Roy Strickland, Tom McAlister, Troy Oliver, Rex Pinkard, Bob Rogers Singleton, Elmo Alsbrooks, Roger Bedford, William Harbin, the Jeff Bowling Sunday School Class members, the 115th Signal Battalion and other special friends. Burial will be in in Knights of Pythias Cemetery, Russellville.

Mr. Malone is survived by his daughters, Hayley Malone Fuller and husband Eric and Hillary Malone Hall, all of Russellville; Susie Hovater Malone, his wife of 39 years and mother of his daughters; brothers Wayne Malone of Atlanta and Tim Malone of Russellville; grandchildren Cameron and Catherine Hall and Abigail and Jud Fuller; and other relatives and friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Hayes and Dot Malone, and sister Myra Malone.

Pinkard Funeral Home, Russellville, is directing.