Samuel Leroy Mallory

Samuel Leroy Mallory, of Burson, CA, passed away at his home, surrounded by his loving family, on Thursday, January 5, 2017, at the age of 73. He was born in Portland, OR on February 23, 1943 to the late Mildred Leland (Baker) and Alfred Dewy Mallory. Samuel was the beloved husband of Charlotte Elaine (Quillen) Mallory. His 53 year marriage began on September 6, 1963, when he married the love of his life, Charlotte Quillen, in Hayward, CA. In 1966, Sam was drafted into the U.S. Army and began his training in helicopter schools. He left for his tour in Vietnam with the Kingsmen 17th Assault Helicopter Company, where he served in the Lancer's Gun Platoon as Crew Chief on a Huey UH-1C Gunship 090. The 17th later merged with the 101st Air Assault, where he continued his tour with the gun platoon. Sam was shot and wounded while flying and received the Purple Heart, his helicopter was later shot down by enemy fire and they were rescued by his unit. After serving in Vietnam, he returned stateside and moved to Calaveras County in 1968. "He went where others feared to go and did what others failed to do. He has cried, pained, and hoped…but most of all he has lived times others would say were best forgotten." Vietnam Helicopter Crew Members Association Once back in California, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, and spent his life loving and working for the Lord. He was a founding member of both Burson Full Gospel Church, which began in 1972, and SOS Pentecostal Church, which began in 2006. Sam was an automotive mechanic and owned his own business; City Tire Automotive in Stockton, CA. He custom built several unique street machine show cars. If you ever had the chance to see, hear, or perhaps ride, in one of Sam's cars, you knew why he received such recognition in the street machine community during the 80s and 90s. Throughout his entire life, no matter what he was doing, Sam inspired people by his genuine love for his family. Next to the Lord, his family was his world, and they accompanied him on all of his endeavors. Sam is survived by his wife, Charlotte Mallory, of Burson, CA; daughters, Terry (Scott) Nordahl, of Burson, CA, and Mandy (Kevin) Ritchie, of Herald, CA; grandchildren, Leland (Derick) Glasco, Ashleigh Thornburg, Ryley Nordahl, Cody Thornburg, Shad Nordahl, Thomas Thornburg, Adeline Nordahl, Brandon Ritchie, and Blake Ritchie; brother, Elbert Mallory, of Boise, Idaho; sister, Linda Houston, of Linden, CA. He was preceded in death by his father, Alfred Mallory; mother, Mildred Mallory; sister, Verlie Cox; father-in-law, Oscar Quillen; mother-in-law, Zelma Quillen; and nephew's Charles Cox, and Matthew Springer. Friends are invited to attend a funeral service at Daneri Mortuary in Jackson, CA, at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, January 13, 2017. Interment will follow at the Jenny Lind Cemetery in Jenny Lind, CA.