Obituary: Dr. Kenneth Roscoe Maloney
Dr. Kenneth Roscoe Maloney, a highly esteemed pharmacist turned dermatologist, passed away Thursday, January 25,2024, leaving behind a legacy of medical excellence and compassionate care. Services are at the Shackelford Funeral Home chapel in Bolivar on Thursday, February 1, 2024, at 1 p.m. with burial in Middleton City Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home in Bolivar on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Born on February 16, 1946, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Dr. Maloney was the beloved son of John Casey Maloney and Nina Eunice Gilbert Maloney. He spent his formative years in Middleton, Tennessee, where he attended Middleton grade School and high school. It was during this time that Dr. Maloney’s exceptional academic abilities began to shine through.
In 1964, Dr. Maloney proudly graduated with honors from Middleton High School. Following his passion for pharmacy, he enrolled at Freed-Hardeman College and graduated in 1966 as a member of the prestigious Phi Theta Kappa Fraternity’s Kappa Upsilon Chapter. Driven to further his medical knowledge even more, he went on to obtain a PharmD degree and a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy with high honors from the University of Tennessee in Memphis in 1969.
Never one to be satisfied with mediocrity, Dr. Maloney continued to pursue his dreams relentlessly. In 1971, after working as a dedicated pharmacist for over two years in Memphis, he made the decision to return to school once again to pursue even greater heights of medical expertise at the University of Tennessee in Memphis, graduating with a Doctor of Medicine in 1975. This time around, his passion for dermatology led him to an internship in Dermatology Residency at UT Memphis from 1977 to 1980.
Upon completing his residency program in 1980, Dr. Maloney moved to Dyersburg and established his own private practice as a distinguished dermatologist. His exceptional skills and dedication quickly earned him recognition within the medical community and beyond. In 1984, he was named president of the Memphis Dermatology Society—a testament to his unwavering commitment to advancing the field.
While serving patients in Dyersburg, Dr. Maloney remained deeply engaged in the medical community and education. He played a vital role in the training of family practice residents in dermatology at the University of Tennessee in Jackson, regularly conducting training sessions at his office in Dyersburg. This commitment to mentorship and knowledge sharing showcased not only his proficiency as a physician but also his desire to shape future generations of medical professionals.
After an illustrious career spanning 25 years, Dr. Maloney made the difficult decision to close his private practice in Dyersburg. However, retirement did not dampen his passion for medicine. He continued to actively contribute to the field by providing invaluable dermatological training within the Family Medicine Residency Program at the University of Tennessee in Jackson. Dr. Maloney enjoyed traveling, especially to Ireland, a place that was dear to his heart, with his partner, Sonnie, and their dear friends, Dr. John and Mrs. Burk. He loved to listen to Elvis Presley music and was a Civil War enthusiast. Among his other hobbies were attending UT football and basketball games, and Tennessee Titan football games with season tickets that he would purchase every year. He also was an avid animal lover, having rescued many throughout the years. He loved watching football, basketball, and baseball, and was himself on an All-Star Baseball team while in school.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Dr. Maloney’s heart belonged to Sonnie Owens of Middleton, who was not just his domestic partner but also a pillar of unwavering support throughout his life’s journey. Other survivors include his first cousins, Bonnie Wood of Murfreesboro and Betty Fann of Christiana, Tennessee; second cousins, Kelly Sims of Simsbury, Connecticut and Karen Umstead of Germantown, Tennessee; and his two precious dogs, “Sassy” and “Mama”.
Dr. Maloney’s absence will be acutely felt by all those whose lives he touched through his medical expertise and compassionate care. His commitment to excellence, both as a healthcare professional and as a mentor, has left an indelible mark on the field of dermatology and has undoubtedly inspired many aspiring physicians along their own journeys.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Dr. Maloney’s memory to the Humane Society or Animal Shelter of their choice.
Courtesy of Shackelford Funeral Directors, Bolivar, Tennessee.
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