MALLORY, DONALD F. AND MARIOLA (STOKES)

by Donald F. and Mariola Mallory

Entry F265 from the History of Hooker County Nebraska
with permission of the Hooker County Historical Society

Don Mallory Family. Back: Don and Mariola
Front: Alan, Jan and Gail

Donald F. Mallory was born january 12,
1921 in Thedford, Ne. Son of John M. and
Fay Mallory. Don has two sisters, Twyla
Canady and Betty Meisinger of Omaha, Ne.
and brother, Stanley a. Mallory of Grand
Island, Ne. Don graduated from Thedford
High School in May 1939. Don played
basketball and during his sophomore year
(1937) Thedford won the District Tourna-
ment and played in the State Tournament in
Lincoln, Ne.

After graduating from high school, Don
enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, January 4,
1941. Of all the bases at which Don was
stationed, one stands out most vivid in his
memory. It was located in Florence, S.C.,
where he met his future wife, Mariola Stokes,
from Timmonsville, South Carolina. After a
couple months of overseas training in Flor-
ence, Don was sent overseas for duty in
England and France as an Air Crew Member
aboard A-20 and A-26 Bombers. After the
completion of 55 missions, he rotated to the
States from Paris in January, 1945.

Don and Mariola were married in the First
Baptist Church in Florence on January 27,
1945.

Mariola was born January 2, 1921 in
Timmonsville, S.C.; daughter of Burnwell E.
and Cinciana (Atkinson) Stokes Mariola
graduated from high school in 1937, attended
Columbia College in Columbia, S.C. and
received a Business Diploma from Florence
Business College. An active member of the
First Baptist Church. At the time of
marriage, Mariola was the manager of Flor-
ence Furniture and Supply Co.

Upon Don's discharge from the Air Force
in 1945, Don and Mariola moved to Thedford
for the summer to work with his Dad. In
Sept., they moved to Lincoln, Ne. so that Don
could enter the University of Nebraska at
Lincoln. In October 1946, Don transferred
from the University of Ne. and we moved to
Columbia, S.C. to enter the University of
South Carolina. Don received his B.S. degree
in Mechanical Engineering in June, 1950.

Having the opportunity to have partner-
ship in the Sand and Gravel business with his
Father,John, in Thedford, we returned in
February, 1950, moving to Mullen, Ne. Don
began building our present home in the Fall
of 1951 and moved in May 1952. Making
improvements has been one of his winter
projects as woodworking is one of his hobbies.
He enjoys all sports - especially golf.

During the years the children were active
in school, Don was a member of the School
Board, Sandhills Development and American
Legion. He and his family are active members
of the United Methodist Church.

In 1958, the partnership with his Father,
John, was dissolved and Don has operated it
as Don Mallory Sand and Gravel. The Redi-
Mix was added in 1970.