1933-2023
Lonnie Ray Mallett, 90, of Guthrie, Oklahoma was born November 20, 1933 at home in Navina, Oklahoma, to Ralph and Ruby (Webb) Mallett. He was the fifth of ten children. He passed away Friday, December 15, 2023 in Edmond, Oklahoma.
He attended school and graduated from Cashion High School in 1952. Later that year, he met the first love of his life, Rosemary Tackett in Guthrie. Soon after they married, he joined the United States Air Force and received an honorable discharge. Lonnie and Rosemary had three children, Lonnetta Rhea, Rozetta Jean, and Jimmy Drew. He also became a FreeMason.
Lonnie attended barber college and was licensed in 1960. He barbered in the Logan County area for the next fifty-seven years. He decided to retire at the age of 84, saying that he did not want to work his entire life.
Rosemary lost her battle with breast cancer in 1992, and he later met and married his second love, Mary Layne Raley. Lonnie often said that he was lucky to find two great women to share his life with.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Cecil, Don, and Bennie; sisters, Joy Stone, Betty Vanderpool Simon, Carol Sue Mallett, and Virginia Fay Mallett; wives, Rosemary Mallett and Mary Layne Mallett; brothers-in-law, Kenny Vanderpool, Lyle Byrn, Bob Stone, and Leo Simon.
Lonnie is survived by his daughters, Lonnetta Richardson (Randy) of Guthrie and Rozetta Pugh (Ray) of Edmond, Oklahoma; and his son, Jim (Harold) of Santa Rosa, California. He is also survived by grandchildren: Brandon Bagwell (Diane) of Midland, Texas, Brett Bagwell (Lindsey) of Edmond, Bill Richardson (Katrina) of Guthrie, Kelli Roberts (Charles) of Guthrie, Tara Bomar of Belle Chasse, Louisiana, Tyler Pugh of Austin, Texas, Kate Mcilroy (Sean) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, William Raley (Kaily) of Grand Junction, Colorado, and Wesley Raley (Kasey) of Chicago, Illinois. Also surviving him are twelve great-grandchildren and his siblings, Wayne Mallett (Dwaina) of Guthrie, Tom Mallett (Melna) of Edmond, and his sisterin- law, Bonnie Mallett of Tucson, Arizona as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and his morning coffee group at Missy’s.
Funeral services were held at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at the First Presbyterian Church with Reverend Katrina Richardson officiating. Interment followed at Seward Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Smith-Gallo Funeral Home, Guthrie.
The family would like to thank the staff at Ash Street Place and Golden Age Nursing Home, especially Ethel Stewart, Tammy Williams, and Jeffrey Chappell. Also a heartfelt thanks to Dr. Todd Krehbiel and Companion Hospice as well as Jana Taylor, and Amy Ethrige. We couldn’t have made it through this journey without all of you.
Friends may sign the online guestbook at www.smithgallo.com.
Published in the Guthrie News Leader - December 20, 2023