On January 28, the collision repair industry was rocked by news of the sudden death of former Colision Industry Conference Chairman Darrell Malott. The 46-year-old shop owner was found dead of an apparent gunshot wound in his home in San Bernardino, Calif. Police began their investigation after family and friends reported him missing for about 10 days. The body of Malott's wife Dar, 36, was found in a vehicle in the garage. The couple had been married for a little more than a year.
Malott, the owner of Toler's Auto Body in San Bernardino, served the industry on many levels. In addition to chairing CIC, he was a past chairman of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists and past president of the California Autobody Association. He was a popular speaker at industry events around the country, and occasionally wrote for industry publications including ABRN and Autobody News.
Upon learning of Malott's death, CIC Administrative Director Jeff Hendler wrote the following about his friend and colleague:
"Once in a while, a great while, someone comes along and quietly sneaks into your life and changes it. On even rarer occasions, these quiet people tend to change a lot of lives. Darrell Malott was one of those people.
"It is a trite phrase that states, `We have lost a friend,' but we have. Even more tragic is that we have lost one of the lights that helped our industry to better see and understand our future. Darrell Malott, a quiet soul now silenced, will be truly missed by us all."
A memorial service for Malott was held on February 5 at the EmmersonBartlett Memorial Chapel in Redlands, Calif.
-Kathy Forrey
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