Born in Pender County, to the late John J. and Mariam R. Malpass, he was raised at Malpass Corner.

He was a retired Pilot from Delta Airlines. His lifelong passion for flying started when he soloed at the age of 16, after working for Rehder’s Florist and Belk Berry to pay for flight lessons at Blumenthal Field.

He then graduated New Hanover High School where he was in the R. O. T. C., then attended the Citadel, and upon enlistment to the US Army became an MP and was stationed in the Philippines. While there he was involved in Atomic Research, then upon completion of OCS went into the Infantry, Flight School and became a Flight Instructor.

He later worked full time in the National Guard in Wilmington, then reentered the Army to volunteer for duty in Viet Nam. Another passion was restoring antique automobiles for which he was awarded numerous national first place awards.

Mr. Malpass was preceded in death by a son, Todd Barton Malpass in 2004.

Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Jo Ann M. Malpass; two sons, John J. Malpass III and wife Lisa of Knoxville, TN, Michael Linton Malpass of Wilmington, NC; a brother, Dudley Ivey Malpass and wife Carole of Hampstead, NC; three grandchildren, John J. “Jason” Malpass IV, Joshua Stephen Malpass, Jordan Davis Malpass; and a special family friend, Toby Jordan.

Graveside services will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, October 7, 2006, in the Burgaw Cemetery by the Reverend Gordon Wright.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 725-A Wellington Avenue, Wilmington, NC 28401.

Coble Ward-Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Oleander Chapel.