The Very Reverend Charles E. Mallard, Doctor of Ministry, Chaplain (Col), United States Army Retired, age 77, of Clarkesville, Georgia, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, December 18, 2016.
Father Mallard was born on September 10, 1939, in Bradenton, Florida, to the late Jasper Burnice Mallard and Virginia Doris Corter Hudson Mallard. He was also preceded in death by his loving wife of 53 years, Doris Sanders Mallard and daughter, Cheryl Mallard Witt.
He is survived by his two sons, Richard Lee Mallard, Lt Col, USAF and Timothy Sanders Mallard, Chaplain (LTC), USA; daughter, Rebekah Mallard Huntley. Eight grandchildren also survive.
Father Mallard received his BA (History), at Stetson University, DeLand, FL in 1961. From 1961-1964, he served as Assistant Pastor at two churches while completing his Master of Divinity from Midwestern Baptist Theology Seminary in Kansas City, MO, in 1965. In 1967, he became the Pastor of First Baptist Church in Palm Harbor, FL, remaining there until he began his military career. In November 1969, he was commissioned into the US Army Reserve as a Chaplain (CPT) and in January 1970, he was accessioned on to Active Duty. Father Mallard served in a wide variety of military assignments in a career spanning nearly 30 years. He was awarded numerous combat decorations for his service with the 1st Air Cavalry Division in South Vietnam, including the Army Commendation Medal, the Air Medal, and the Bronze Star, with First Oak Leaf Cluster. Father Mallard was selected early for integration into the Regular Army and for fully-funded MA in Marriage and Family Therapy at the California Institute for Marriage and Family Therapy and Azusa Pacific University, both in the greater Los Angeles area of southern California. He also completed the Chaplain Officer Basic Course and the Chaplain Officer Advanced Course at the US Army Chaplain Center and School, Fort Jackson, SC, as well as the Command and General Staff College and the US Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, PA. He served in a number of assignments as a specialist in marriage and therapy, culminating with his assignment as Director of the United States Army Chaplain Family Ministry and Training Center, Fort Riley, KS, where he taught as an Adjunct Faculty Member in the Department of Family Studies. As a result of this specialization, Father Mallard authored numerous academic articles on various subjects related to marriage and family therapy and marriage and family ministry.
In addition to this specialization, Father Mallard served in a variety of assignments with line units: battalion chaplain, brigade chaplain, and Staff Chaplain, 24th Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, GA. After selection for promotion to Colonel and graduation from the US Army War College, he served in high-level staff positions in Europe, Hawaii, and the continental United States culminating with his assignment as Chief of the Department of Ministry at Eisenhower Army Medical Center and Staff Chaplain, Southeast Region Medical Command, Fort Gordon, GA. In this capacity, Father Mallard taught all levels of medical treatment teams the importance of a healthy spirituality in the health and healing process. Upon his retirement from the Army, Father Mallard was awarded the Legion of Merit Medal for nearly thirty years of meritorious service to our nation.
Following retirement, Father Mallard entered upon concurrent programs of study leading to a Doctor of Ministry degree from Erskine Seminary and ordination to the diaconate and priesthood in the Anglican Province of America, to include service as Area Dean for the states of South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama.
Father Mallard served as Vicar at St. Thomas the Apostle Anglican Church, Alto, GA from 2001 to 2004 and then again from 2006 until his going home to be with the Lord on Sunday. When time permitted, Father Mallard enjoyed a round of golf or maybe spending time reading a good book. He enjoyed collecting antiquarian prayer books as well.
Funeral services are scheduled for 10:00 am on Thursday, December 22, 2016, at St. Thomas the Apostle Anglican Church with The Right Reverend Chad Jones officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery with full military honors provided by the US Army. All family and friends should meet at the church by 9:45 am.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm on Wednesday, December 21, 2016, at Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel, Demorest, Georgia.
Those wishing to express online condolences to the family may do so by visiting www.whitfieldfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are in the care of Whitfield Funeral Home & Crematory, North Chapel, 245 Central Avenue, Demorest, Georgia.
