Arthur "Art" Lee Malcom

Arthur "Art" Lee Malcom, 76, of Appleton, Wisconsin quietly passed from this realm of existence in the afternoon of January 23rd, 2025. His years of battling MS, Parkinson's disease, kidney failure, aortic stenosis and other health issues became too much for his tired body to handle, and he succumbed to his body's wishes after a brief illness. In the days and weeks leading up to his death, he was surrounded by loving family, including his wife, Dawn, his daughter Angie, and her partner, Kimberly.

Art was born February 16th, 1948 in Washington D. C., to Marcus and Edna (Gorman) Malcom. He was the middle of 3 boys. Due to his father's military career, Art had the opportunity to live in various places within the United States and abroad, including Japan and Guam.

Despite his pacifist beliefs, Art was drafted into the army when he was 18, and served 4 years, being stationed in Vietnam, Spain, and Germany. Although working for military intelligence with the opportunity to advance his rank, Art was greatly affected by the horrors of war and chose not to re-inlist. After his marriage to his high school sweetheart ended badly, he spent the next few years searching for himself. He attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison, where he studied everything from English Literature to Anthropology. Unfortunately, his intense love of learning made it difficult for him to choose a major, and he ended up never graduating.

However, the war had left him with the drive to help others, and he eventually found himself working as a counselor for troubled teens at a halfway house in Phoenix, Arizona. His time spent there ignited something within him, and he discovered his love of teaching.

He also loved singing and playing guitar, which he often did at various bars and restaurants. After making his way back to Wisconsin, it was while performing at a resort that Art met Judy (Martin), who was working as a maid there. The two were married in April of 1980 in Friendship, Wisconsin. Almost 3 years later, they welcomed their daughter, Angela, to the world on January 22nd, 1983.

Art and Judy made the choice to homeschool Angela because the schools in the area were some of the worst in the state. This eventually led to Art forming the first private school in Adams, Wisconsin in 1991, named The Lighthouse. Operating out of a one room school house built as an addition onto their home, Art taught 8 children in 3 different grades. The school was a resounding success, and Art felt he had finally found his calling.

Unfortunately, in December of 1993, Art's mother died unexpectedly from a heart attack, and the family had to move to Gainesville, Florida to take care of his father who was suffering from Alzheimer's. The loss of the school was a huge blow to all involved, and Art never quite got over the guilt of feeling like he had abandoned his students. However, he soon formed a group of families who were already homeschooling their children, organizing field trips and other group activities. He also taught a group class for creative writing, encouraging his students to think outside the box and to find and develop their inner voice.

Throughout the following years, Art continued teaching, both with students and also as an Elder/traveling Minister to local congregations of his religious denomination. He also continued to work on his first novel, which he eventually self-published.

In 2005, Art and Judy chose to end their marriage, and Art moved to the Tampa/Clearwater area. He devoted his time to working on his writing and music composition. In 2007, he met Dawn (Cunningham), and they were married in December of 2009. Most of Dawn's family lived in the Appleton area of Wisconsin, and by this time, Art's daughter Angie had also moved back to Wisconsin. After commuting back and forth between Florida and Wisconsin for a few years, the couple decided to officially move back to Wisconsin in November of 2011.

Sadly, shortly thereafter, Art's health started to take a turn for the worse, and the following years were filled with various health emergencies, including needing open-heart triple-bypass surgery. Art often attributed his numerous health problems to being exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam. Having been diagnosed with MS at 32, he was used to having a body that failed him more often than not. But his diagnosis with Parkinson's disease in his 60s hit him hard. He slowly lost the ability to do most of the things that he loved, such as writing and playing guitar. However, he managed to publish two more books before his fingers stopped cooperating. He was proud to have been a member of the Appleton-Fox Cities Kiwanis, along with Dawn. While he was unable to participate as much as he would have liked, it fulfilled his desire to help others, especially children.

In a nutshell, Art was a man with many layers. A deep thinker and a life-long learner, a writer and a musician, a teacher, photographer, avid reader, and volunteer. He hated injustice, and always defended the underdog. Thanks to Dawn's children, he was able to experience being a grandpa and Great-grandpa, which filled his heart with joy. He will be remembered for the impact he had on the lives of those around him, his quick wit, intellect, and his dedication to the pursuit of knowledge.

Art is survived by his wife Dawn and his daughter Angie Malcom (Kimberly Heller), as well as Stepchildren, Tammy (Dan) Wiegand, William Duncan, Shannon Pomeroy, Laura (Chris) Van Veghel; Grandchildren, Kyle (Amanda) Newhouse, Marissa (Cory) Vander Heiden, Paige Wiegand, Kirsten Wiegand, Nicole (Tylor) Bunno, Kyle (Amber) Schiltz, Victor Duncan, Megan Pomeroy, Charley & Dominic Van Veghel; Great Grandchildren, Kyle and Amanda’s children: Caden, Hunter and Keegan. Tylor and Nicole’s children: Chloe and Molly, Marissa and Cory’s children: Olivia and Evelyn, Victor’s child: Liam; Sisters-in-law and Brothers-in-Law, David Cunningham, Mary (Mike) Frisch, Tom (Sherry) Cunningham, Susan Mortenson, Jeannie (Brian) Glass, Jim (Jean) Cunningham, Keith (Lori) Cunningham, Gary (Sarah) Cunningham, Ken (Diane) Cunningham, Lisa (Keith) VanDeraa. Also, many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. He is also survived by Angie's mother, Judy Martin.

He was preceded in death by his parents, older brother Alan Robert Malcom, and younger brother Marc Malcom, along with his step daughter-in-law: Cindy Duncan; Sister-in-law: Jan Cunningham; and Brother-in-law: Keith Mortenson

Art's family would like to thank the staff at Little Chute Health Services, ThedaCare Regional Medical Center in Neenah, and Ascension (St Elizabeth's) in Appleton for making Art's final days as comfortable as possible.

There will be a celebration of life for Art once the weather is warmer.