Mr. Jay Curtis Mallory, 80, of Lake Wylie, SC, passed away peacefully, Saturday, November 18, 2023 at home with his family by his side.

Services will be held at a later time.

Mr. Mallory was born June 1, 1943 in Portland, Maine to the late Spurgeon Brooks and Trenetta Emery Mallory.  He was a U.S. Navy Veteran and pilot for United Airlines for 38 years, flying all the long-haul aircraft and retiring as a 747-400 captain in 2003.

He learned the value of education and life-long learning from his mother, while his father instilled a strong work ethic and pride in one’s craft, which Jay carried with him his entire life. Through these qualities Jay influenced the lives of many in his family and community.

Aside from aviation, Jay was proficient in many areas to include woodworking, carpentry, cooking, gardening, landscaping, building, acting, golfing, and fishing. These activities were deeply satisfying but none more so than passing on his knowledge and skills to others, especially the next generation.

When not at work for United, Jay led an incredibly active life at home. He converted an 1800s Victorian home into a Bed and Breakfast on Rangeley Lake in Rangeley, Maine that he ran with his wife for 10 years. He was a flight instructor and started his own seaplane service, providing first time flight experiences for many children in his community. He was a licensed electrician and plumbing contractor, and he built five houses from the ground up by the time he was 40. He enjoyed cooking cuisines from all over the world and was most famous for his sky-high popovers. These skills are largely why many will remember him as a man who could fix and do anything.

He discovered a hidden talent for acting and production, and starred in four plays with his wife in Rangeley’s local theater group in the 1990s. He served on the Rangeley school board for many years to give back to the community which was such a large part of his life. Never one to truly sit down, even in retirement in Florida and later in South Carolina, he actively supported veterans’ organizations and he became a home and mold inspector, and golf instructor. He had a lifelong passion for golf which led him to start a summer golf camp for kids in Legend Oaks and Pine Forest Country Clubs in Summerville, SC. His classes were always full, as were the hearts he touched over the decades.

Survivors are his wife of 46 years, Jane Redlon Mallory; daughters Krista Mallory-MacDonald (Scott) of Bangor, ME, Jessica Couch of Lake Wylie, SC, and Jaclyn Schweitzer (Michael) of Lake Wylie, SC; son Jay Curtis Mallory, II (Ginger) of Helsinki, Finland; eleven grandchildren: Kyle, Tyler, Ryan, Isla, Hollyn, Jack, Leo, Kate, Addy, Jay, Finn; and two great grandchildren: Cedric and Wynn.

He was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Jason Couch, and a brother, Ronald B. Mallory.

Memorials may be made to Semper Fi & America’s Fund, thefund.org.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.