Joseph Patrick O'Malley

1932 - 2015

Joseph Patrick O'Malley obituary, 1932-2015, Montgomery, AL

BORN

1932

DIED

2015

FUNERAL HOME

Leak Memory Chapel

945 Lincoln Road

Montgomery, Alabama

Joseph O'Malley Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Mar. 21, 2015.

Joseph Patrick O'Malley, Sr., a long-time resident of Conyers, Georgia, passed away Friday, March 20, in Montgomery, Alabama. He was 83 years old. Mr. O'Malley was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and attended The University of Georgia on a football scholarship. He lettered in football and track at UGA and played basketball as a Freshman. As a football player, he was a starter for the Bulldogs at Defensive End, earning second team All-SEC and honorable mention All-American. He was Team Captain of the Bulldogs in 1954. For you Auburn fans, after a scoreless 1954 Georgia-Alabama game, Atlanta Journal Sports Editor Ed Danforth wrote, "O'Malley was flawless. Every time Alabama tried to run his flank, he murdered them." As a sophomore, in the Sugar Bowl victory over Tulane, Atlanta Journal Sports Editor Furman Bisher wrote, "O'Malley put on the finest defensive performance the Sugar Bowl Stadium has ever seen." The Chicago Bears drafted Joe in 1955 and he was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he played for two seasons in the NFL.

After playing football in the NFL, Joe became Basketball, Football Coach and Athletic Director at Brown High School in Atlanta. In his first season, his basketball team won the AAA state championship. He was awarded Class AAA Coach of the Year by the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association in 1968. Joe was employed by General Wholesale Company in Atlanta and retired in 1994 after a 26 year career. In 1999, he was inducted into the College Hall of Fame for The University of Georgia. Joe was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Conyers, Georgia.

"Big Joe" was a loving husband and father. His sense of humor and sweet smile will be missed. Joseph Patrick O'Malley is survived by his wife of 54 years, Camden, Alabama native Joyce Ervin O'Malley of Montgomery, Ala.; daughter, Shawn Rippner (Rob Rippner, M.D.) of Chico, California; daughter Karen LaPlatney (Pat LaPlatney) of Montgomery, Ala.; son Joe O'Malley (Lima O'Malley) of Nashville, Tenn.; son Mike O'Malley (Tracey O'Malley) of Athens, Ga.; siblings Frank O'Malley, Jacqueline Pizzo and JoAnn Butler; grandsons Jack, Dan, Sam and Chris LaPlatney, and grandaughter Anna O'Malley. In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association. A memorial service will be held on Monday, April 6 at St. Peter's Cathedral in Montgomery, Alabama.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph O'Malley

What is your first memory of Joseph?

Share a favorite memory you have of Joseph.

Tell us about a special moment you shared with Joseph.

Describe a time when Joseph made you laugh or smile.

What is something you will always remember about Joseph?

Talk about a shared experience you had with Joseph.

What is something you did together that you enjoyed?

Describe a place or activity that reminds you of Joseph.

Tell us about a personal story or anecdote involving Joseph.

What is something you learned from Joseph?

Not sure what to say?

April 3, 2015

Cathy Wilson Bray

So sorry to hear of the passing of our beloved Coach O'Malley. He was a great individual and teacher. God bless your family!

April 3, 2015

Brown High School Atlanta, Ga

Pretty sure I can say on behalf of all the students of Brown High School in Atlanta that Coach O'Malley will always be a fond memory in our now senior minds......what a great coach, educator and person he was......may he RIP and may his family and friends be comforted with great memories also...

April 2, 2015

Deborah Cross

I am so sorry to hear of Coach O'Malley's passing. I attended Brown High School when he coached there. I also had season tickets to the UGA games and my seats were very near Coach O'Malley's seats. I would go to his seat every year and visit with him. He was such a sweet and dear man. I am sending prayers to the family. Deborah Vincent Cross

March 28, 2015

I am truly sorry to hear of Joe's passing. Please accept my deepest sympathy. I am Joe's first cousin, our fathers were brothers. I remember going to a Tech-Central HS game to see Joe play football on a snowy Thanksgiving Day. Sad to say, I haven't seen Joe in so many, many years. Again, I am very sorry. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Joyce O'Malley Rittenhouse

March 28, 2015

Betty Bayless Schuman

I graduated from Tech High School in Scranton, PA with Joe. He was always a quiet, sweet guy & a wonderful athlete. I was sad to hear of his passing. My prayers are with his family at this time.

March 27, 2015

Cecil & Hilda Skinner

So very sorry to hear of Joe's death. We love you, Joyce!

March 26, 2015

Jim & Tona Vitale

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.

March 25, 2015

JAYNE FOTH

BOB AND I WERE SAD TO HEAR OF JOE'S PASSING. WE WERE NEIGHBORS FOR 27 YEARS. OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO JOYCE AND THE FAMILY.

Showing 1 - 8 of 8 results

Make a Donation
in Joseph O'Malley's name

Please consider a donation as requested by the family.

Memorial Events
for Joseph O'Malley

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Leak Memory Chapel

945 Lincoln Road, Montgomery, AL 36109

How to support Joseph's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Joseph O'Malley's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more