Cornel Howard Malcolm was a SSGT in the United States Air Force, a proud father, a father figure to many youth in Lompoc and a selfless individual to others. We will look at his legacy.

Cornel Howard Malcolm was born on June 30, 1952, to Leonard Malcolm and Mildred McCants in Cleveland, Oho. He was blessed with five siblings and two half-sisters. They include Arnita Cameron, Michael McCants, Sanford McCants Sr., Wesley McCants, Charita Church, Phyllis Malcolm and Gloria Johnson.

In 1957, Cornel attended Charles H. Lake Elementary School. In 1967, he attended Glenville High School. On November 6, 1971, he married the lovely Patricia Louis Penn in his family's home, witnessed by his brothers and sisters. In 1972, he was blessed with his first son, Rayshawn Malcolm. In 1973, he joined the USAF and was assigned to Chanute AFB in Illinois, for specialized training in the Missile Maintenance Field as a missile mechanic. He was then reassigned to Malstrom AFB in Great Falls, Montana. In 1974, he was blessed with his second son, Shawndel Malcolm. In 1977, he was blessed with his daughter, Sheronda Malcolm, who was born at home. In 1980, he took and completed a supervisory development course. Around this same time, he was reassigned to Vandenberg AFB in Lompoc, California. Unfortunately, his marriage ended in divorce in April of 1981. In 1982, he trained as an Instructional System Designer and went to Instruction Techniques School. In 1985, he attended the Non-Commissioned Officer Leadership School. Throughout his military career, he taught many courses to the servicemen of the USAF.

While his military career was excelling, he became involved in community activities as well. He was involved in multiple Board of Director positions on Vandenberg and in the Lompoc Valley. Some of you may know him by his DJ name, Just-us Justice, when he used to DJ at the NCO club. Others might know him as the Master Charter when he would organize deep sea fishing trips out of Morro Bay, California. He was also involved with the Boy Scouts of America and was the president of the Vandenberg Youth Football League with members Dave Best and Earl K. "E.K." Chenault Sr. No matter what Cornel was involved in, he always displayed professionalism and leadership. In 1991, he was honorably discharged from the USAF as a SSGT. He served and protected us for over 18 years.

His children gave him eight grandchildren; Aubryanna, Elijah, Isaiah, Vitoria, Seryna, Devonte, LeAndre, and Renee. He was also a father figure, as is a custom in black culture, by "adopting many of the neighborhood kids and becoming that male role model they needed in their lives. He was the neighborhood grandpa who always had an open-door policy, if you followed his rules. Although he had his way of doing things, life lessons were always taught and cherished.

Cornel was preceded in death by his mother, Mildred, who was called home on March 4, 1989 at the age of 61, his brother, Wesley, was called home on February 12, 2008 at the age of 51. His father, Leonard was called home on November 16, 2012 at the age of 91.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, April 19th at 6 pm at Grace Temple Missionary Baptist Church with a repast at Grace Temple MBC. The interment will be on Thursday, April 20th, 2017 at 10:15 am at Riverside National Cemetery.