After 4 years in the army, Art returned to school and earned a BA degree in Economics from San Francisco State.
While in training in Southern California, Art met and married a young nurse, Gene Detchmendy. They were married in 1945, a marriage that lasted for 48 years until Gene’s death in 1993.
 Arthur Gordon Malear |
An inventive craftsman, he spent many happy hours in his shop crafting furniture and useful items for the house, as well as beautiful sculptures of sea life and birds.
His fondness and compassion for animals was reflected in his joy of owning dogs throughout his life.
In 1997, Art married Judith Dempsey. With Judith, he carried on his childhood love of small boats as they enjoyed kayaking as well as bicycling,camping, hiking, traveling and attending plays and musicals together.
Art had a great love of music and was frequently the much beloved closing act at Saturday night poetry readings at M. Coffee, singing songs he wrote.
At the age of 88, with the help of a good friend who was a recording producer, Art fulfilled a life-long dream as he sang and recorded three of his favorite songs.
He is survived by his his wife Judith Dempsey Malear, daughters Martha Malear Coe
(son-in-law Tom) of Sacramento, and Connie Malear of Belmont, his sister Joanna Kelly of Arlington, Texas, , and grandsons Sam Malear Coe and Peter Morrison Coe (wife Sylvia Roberts), and great-grandson Theodore Roberts-Coe.
Art was a sensitive and caring man. He loved to share an amusing story and a good laugh. He enjoyed talking politics and philosophy with family and friends. Art was creative, kind and a true gentleman . He is greatly missed by his family and many friends.
Celebration of Life memorial service and Kiritan for Art on Friday, July 24th at 5 p.m., at The Douglas Beach House and Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society in Miramar. There will be a pot luck dinner following.
Donations can be made to Living Wisdom School, 456 College Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94306.
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