James A. Maloof has invested a lifetime of service to Central Illinois. He was born in Peoria, October 18, 1919. A graduate of Spalding Institute, he married Gertrude "Trudy" Burson on June 28, 1941. Trudy passed away in March of 2001. He is the Father of four children: Michael, Nicholas, Janice and Mark (deceased). He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II as Acting Master Sergeant. Jim's crowning achievement is his participation in St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. In October of 1957, Entertainer Danny Thomas sought the help of 12 individuals of Lebanese American Heritage, and one of those was Jim Maloof. The American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities was created as the fundraising body for St. Jude, and became headquartered in Indianapolis while plans were being laid for the hospital to be located in Memphis, TN. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital opened its doors in 1962 and is now recognized as one of the world's premier centers for study and treatment of catastrophic diseases in children. Jim served three terms as Mayor of Peoria and starated Maloof Reality in 1969.
To Listen to the Homily given at the Funeral at St. Mary's Cathedral by the Most Reverend Daniel R. Jenky, CSC Click Here: Funeral Homily
To Listen to the Eulogy given by Secretary Ray LaHood click Here: Funeral Eulogy
