MALONEY, RICHARD M., JR.

Richard Montague Maloney (Dick) was born June 9, 1923, in Independence, Mo. The son of Dorothy and Richard Maloney, Dick grew up in the Kansas City area, where he spent his entire life. Dick graduated from William Chrisman High School and soon afterwards joined the United States Marine Corps, where he fought for his country in World War II. A Marine Raider, he was a member of an elite squadron of soldiers. He was wounded in battle and was awarded the Purple Heart Medal. After his honorable discharge, he married Lila Mae Hunter in 1946. At that time, he also enrolled in college at the Kansas City Art Institute, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in painting. Painting was a love for Dick, and over his lifetime, he painted hundreds of portraits for family members, friends and members of his church. The irony of his passion was that he never charged any money for the portraits or landscapes. In the Maloney home are dozens of paintings of all family members, including his self-portrait. Dick was a Scouter, serving as Scoutmaster for Troop 417 in Gladstone during the 1960s and was a member of Mic- O-Say as an Honorary Warrior. His Indian name was “Bright Paint,” a name he had chosen reflecting his enjoyment with portrait art. Dick served as Scoutmaster and had successfully graduated over a dozen young men to the rank of Eagle Scout. Dick himself was an Eagle Scout during his youth. Dick retired from the Norfolk and Southern Railroad in the 1980s, where he served as a rail clerk for nearly 25 years. Dick leaves behind his wife, Lila, where they have been married for 64 years. Dick also leaves behind his son Michael Maloney and daughter Cheryl Ann Downing, as well as son-in-law Len Downing, daughter-in-law Beverly Maloney and grandson Jake Maloney. Dick and Lila have lived in Gladstone since 1961 and are members of the Meadowbrook Methodist Church. Dick passed away on March 8, 2010, at the University of Kansas Hospital. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, memorials should be made to Meadowbrook Methodist Church, 2800 N.E. 64th St., Gladstone, MO 64119. Funeral services 11 a.m. Friday, March 12, at White Chapel, 6600 N. Antioch Road, Gladstone. Burial with military honors in White Chapel Memorial Gardens.