J. Malcolm Hefley was born on October 15, 1952 in Canyon, Texas and passed away at BSA Hospital, Amarillo, Texas on April 23, 2011. Malcolm was the third child born to Alvis B. ( Nig) and Emily Seedig Hefley. He was welcomed to the Hefley home by brother Fred and sister Annette and a few years later little sister Sonja joined the family.

He was raised in Tulia, Texas and graduated from Tulia High School in 1971. While in high school he was active in the FFA and was named Outstanding Chapter farmer. He showed cattle and pigs. At one point during his high school FFA career, he earned the honor of showing a pig at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in Houston, Texas. Malcolm was also a full back and linebacker for the Tulia Hornets football team. One year, he was named honorable mention all-district linebacker. After graduation, he attended college at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas for about 3 years before joining the Colorado National Guard.

In 1975, Malcolm moved to Walsh, Colorado to farm with his father Nig. Farming was one of Malcolm's great passions. He loved to work the land! On January 17, 1977, he was blessed with a son, Heath J. Hefley. Heath was and has always been Malcolm's pride and joy.

In the mid 1980's, Malcolm was honored as a Class 1 Fellow of the Colorado Ag Leadership Program. Shortly thereafter, he was part of group of farmers who took part in an agricultural tour to China which was sponsored by the Colorado Agricultural Leadership Council. The trip was intended to help build leadership and understanding of agriculture as an economic force in the world. A few years later in 1988, Malcolm was elected for a two-year term on the Colorado Corn Administrative Committee. The committee was a marketing order responsible for creating a research and marketing plan to improve use of Colorado corn in both foreign and domestic markets. In the late 1980's, he was actively involved in the Colorado Corn Growers Association, and even served a term as President. In 1984, Ruth Schenck began bookkeeping for Malcolm and has remained a very dear friend to him and his family over the years. Ruth has always held a very high respect for Malcolm, and although they have known each other for nearly 30 years, she never referred to him as anything other than, "Mr. Hefley."

On February 20, 1988, Malcolm wed Debby Sanders. Debby and her daughters, Shayla and Holly, moved to Colorado to join Malcolm on the farm. Malcolm's nephew Dyle was living with him at the time and Heath spent his summers at the farm as well. From day one, the word "step" in reference to the new blended family didn't exist. Malcolm took Debby's daughters in as his own and Debby did the same for Malcolm's son.

Shayla enjoyed the sport of rodeo and Malcolm, being a true family man, decided everyone needed to be involved. Once he had made sure Shayla, Heath, and Holly each had a reliable horse of their own, the family hit the rodeo trail. Many memories were made on the road in that single cab Ford Pick-up and horse trailer! Around 1990, Malcolm, Debby and the girls moved to Wiley, Colorado and Malcolm started Kommodity Express Trucking, where he was fortunate to gain many valuable friendships. One of his most treasured friendships made during this time was with Lloyd Wells. During the mid- 1990's, he began driving as an owner/operator for Landstar. Though he had been away from farming for about 10 years, the love of it always remained in his heart. In 1999, he joined his brother Fred in their joint farming venture, 2H2. In 2000, Malcolm and Debby began building their current home, which they moved into in January of 2001. Up until the time of his death, he continued over-the-road trucking and farming as well. He enjoyed being back in Walsh and had many dear friends in the community including Larry and Judy Harper and many poker buddies. Malcolm was a member of the American Legion and enjoyed the honor of participating in the military funerals.

The greatest joy in Malcolm's life has always been his family. He loved having all the kids home under one roof, especially during the holidays. He loved playing games as a family and was especially fond of Wii Bowling, although the kids could never convince him that Wii Bowling while sitting in a chair was against the rules. In September of 2010, he became a "PaPa" for the first time to his first grandchild, Olivia, or "Peanut," as he called her. He had recently found out he would be a PaPa again in the fall of this year. Heath and his wife Amy recently announced they are expecting their first child.

Malcolm is survived by his wife, Debby of the home in Walsh, CO; a son Heath and wife Amy of Tulsa, OK; a daughter Shayla (Danny Box) of Chickasha, OK, a daughter Holly and husband Jimmy of Yukon, OK; one granddaughter Olivia Shay of Yukon, OK, a new grandbaby due in the fall of 2011, a brother Fred and wife Kay Lynn of Walsh, CO, a sister Sonja of Central America, brother-in-law David Barclay, step-sister Ann Harrison and husband Mike of Abernathy, TX and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Alvis B. Hefley, his mother Emily Mills, his step-father, Edgar "Bunk" Mills, and his sister Annette Barclay.

Malcolm will always be remembered as an intelligent man with a huge heart and exuberant personality and will be missed by his family and many friends.