Michael Ray “Mike” Malone, 66 years old, from Glenpool, Oklahoma passed from this life on Sunday morning, March 24, 2019, after a short battle with bladder cancer.
Mike was born in Oklahoma City to Jerry and Joan Malone on January 18, 1953. He attended U.S. Grant High School, unless he was slipping out the back door, and graduated in 1971. His life was spent, in one form or another, in the concession supply business. For many years he, along with his parents, owned or operated several movie theaters throughout the state of Oklahoma. They were the first to bring the concept of the Dollar Theater, the Southside Cinema, to the Tulsa area. In addition to the Southside Cinema, he was the co-owner or operator of Fourteen Flags in Oklahoma City, the Tee Pee Drive-In in Sapulpa, Thunderbird Twin in Miami, the Westwood Cinema in Wagoner and the 51 Drive-In in Broken Arrow. Upon his Dad’s retirement, they left the theater business and Mike went to work for Popco Concession Supply until his retirement last year. If you have ever had popcorn at an Arvest Bank, you can bet Mike was responsible for getting it there.
Anyone who ever met Mike Malone remembered him. He was an original guy with slick cars and an even slicker sense of humor that made you wonder if he was telling the truth, making up a Mike version of the truth or just outright lying to keep life entertaining. Because of his Cherokee Heritage he was given the nickname Chief Full of Bull, and if you knew Mike, you know the name fit him perfectly.
He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Jason and Lindsay Malone of Oklahoma City, and the two cutest grandsons that were his pride and joy, Wyatt and Benjamin. He is also survived by his sister, Patty Gammel and her husband Mike of Tulsa, a niece, Rachel Parrilli of Tulsa, a nephew, Joseph Holtzclaw of Moore, along with many cousins and friends galore.
No service is planned at this time but in remembrance of Mike, tell a tall tale, pop some popcorn and enjoy life!
