Minor Paul “Buster” Malonson, 74, of Houston, TX passed away on Thursday, September 7, 2023 in Houston, TX. He was born on February 10, 1949 to John Curley, Sr. and Viola Syon Malonson at Jefferson Davis Hospital in Houston, TX. Paul graduated from G.W. Carver High School in 1967 where he excelled as a student and an athlete. He went on to play football at Prairie View A&M and Texas Southern University (“TSU”). Paul graduated from TSU in 1972 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.
Upon graduation, Paul embarked upon a career in the Automotive industry as a Dealer Representative with the Ford Motor Company. As a result of his success as a Dealer Representative, he was selected to participate in Ford’s Auto Dealer Development Program. After completion of the Program, he became the Owner and General Manager of the Northwest Ford Lincoln-Mercury auto dealership in Hempstead, TX. At the time, he was one of a handful of African-Americans in the United States to be an Owner and General Manager of a major automotive dealership.
Throughout his 30-year career, Paul served as a leader and a mentor to countless numbers of people in the industry. After he left the car business, Paul decided to move into the field of Education by becoming a teacher in the Aldine Independent School District. He jumped right-in as a substitute teacher and obtained his Texas Teachers Certificate quickly thereafter. Paul taught students in the Gaining ApPaul Cont. Christiana Cont. propriate Performance (“GAP”) program which was designed to serve students with emotional, therapeutic, and behavior needs. He also served as an Advisor for students in the Business Professionals of America Program. In 2015, he reluctantly retired from teaching in order to focus on his health.
Some of the things Paul enjoyed doing when he was not working, were going on long drives and road trips, coaching youth sports, reading about United States and World History, going to see movies, cooking/ baking, watching college football games, gardening, and working in his yard. Paul is survived by his wife of 54 years, Maggie, his sons Eric, Marcus (wife – Heather), Jeff (wife – Carolina), and his daughter, Cassandra. He was preceded in death by his son, Stephen. He is also survived by his grandkids Matthew, Samantha, Morgan, Carter, Mallory, Ava, Meredith, Olivia, Sofia, Ariel (husband – Herve) and Cara. His great grandkids Xavier and JameleRay. He is survived by his brothers, Roy Douglas (wife – Shirley) and John Curley, Jr. (“JC”), his sisters Betty, Carolyn, and Madell (husband – James) and Deborah (husband – Greg). He was preceded in death by his brothers, Sidney (wife – Herbert Jean “Peaches”), Robert (wife – Wilma) and his sister, Juanita. He is also survived by his Uncle Horace and Aunt Georgia in addition to many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Funeral Services for Paul will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at St. Monica Catholic Church located at 8421 W. Montgomery Rd., Houston, TX 77088. The Viewing will be at 9:00 A.M., the Praying of the Rosary will be at 10:30 A.M. and the Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 A.M. Burial services will be handled by Paradise Funeral Home & Cemetery North – Dignity Memorial located at 10401 W. Montgomery Rd., Houston, X 77088.
