Malcolm Charles Lauderdale
A life well lived.
With heavy hearts we announce the death of Malcolm Charles Lauderdale, 96, on July 11, 2023.
Malcolm was born in Carthage, MO, on March 27th, 1927, to Ira and Hazel Lauderdale (deceased) and welcomed by his brother Don(deceased) and sister Connie Voorhees (100).
Malcolm’s lifespan included the Great Depression, WW2, service in the Navy, graduation from The University of Texas and over 30 years working in The Texas Department of Mental Health.
Malcolm met and married Elwanda Lofland while working as a personnel manager at The East Texas Tuberculosis Hospital in Tyler. Children began to arrive during the time they lived in Austin and worked at the Austin State School and Travis State School. In 1966, Malcolm was transferred to Mexia, as the superintendent of the Mexia State School. It was in Mexia where they raised all three of their children and lived until 1988.
Malcolm was an exceptional father, a good husband, a fair businessman, and active in the community. Malcolm was involved in the Mexia Chamber of Commerce, Rotary and the First United Methodist Church. Malcolm was instrumental in many of the Mexia State School’s growth and improvement projects. During his time at the MSS, a large gymnasium and beautiful chapel were built.
Malcolm and Elwanda chose the state of Arizona to spend their retirement years, a place Malcolm had visited often when traveling from California to Texas in his youth. Travels took them to Europe, Australia and places all over the USA.
Malcolm leaves behind Elwanda, his wife of 68 years; daughter, Teri Welsch (James); son, Kelly Lauderdale (Lisa); grandchildren, Tareyn Onderko (Luke) of Casper, Wy. and Riley Mc-Daniel (Kevin) of Tyler; great-grandchildren, Cora and Cate Onderko, and Teddy and Isaiah McDaniel; and sister, Connie Voorhees (Koert) of Denver, Colo.
Malcolm was predeceased by his son, Tony Lauderdale (1979).
A private celebration of life will be held in Malcolm’s honor at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to jasonsfriends. org.
