John M. Maltry

John Melvin Maltry, Jr., 91, of 9 Miller Estate, Candler, N.C. died Friday, March 29, 2013, at the John F. Keever Solace Center. Mr. Maltry was born in Buncombe County and was a son of the late John and Bonnie Flynn Maltry. One of 16 children, he joined the Army at the age of 17, beginning a 20 year career. He was on duty and survived the Pearl Harbor attack December 7, 1941, and later saw action at Midway during WW II. As result of these two actions he received two battle stars. He became an original member of the newly organized Army, Military Police Division, and served in Cuba and the Caribbean. He later taught ROTC at Johns Hopkins University then served as Provost Marshall at Nuremberg, Germany. He was able to have his young family join him there as he was with the Occupation Forces. He was a former troop commander and personnel director on the General Staff at Fort Stewart, Georgia. He retired as Major after 20 years service. In civilian life, he became an instructor at Millersburg Military Institute before returning to Asheville and taking a position with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. He also worked as regional director for Moore Shell Homes and went into full time real estate. In retirement he was a volunteer and member of CarePartners Adult Care program, with a special affinity for veterans care. Mr. Maltry was a member of Crossroads Assembly. His family includes his wife of 67 years, Martha Miller Maltry; two daughters, Rebecca McKinney and Rachel Derriso (Tom); son John Maltry (Maria); brother, George Maltry; two sisters, Marian Parker and Myrtle Moore; six grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 3:00 p.m. Monday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with the Revs. J. Michael Brown and Dr. Dan Robinson officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Piney Mountain United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to CarePartners Adult Care Program, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 282813.