Charles Abraham Malouf

Charles "Chuck" Malouf grew up during the World War II, Post-War, and 1950s periods primarily in Glendale, California along with over 5 years in Phoenix, Arizona during his elementary school years. He was the oldest child of Charles and Leila Malouf, who emigrated from Lebanon to the U.S. in the 1920s and 1930s. His family included his two brothers, Lew and Ed, and sister Samia. At a young age, Chuck kept busy with the family and his community, taking care of his younger siblings, working in the community including his first job as a paperboy, and playing basketball, his first love.

Chuck graduated from Hoover High School in 1959, received an AA degree from Glendale Community College in 1961, and achieved a Bachelors of Science degree in 1964 in Business Administration from San Fernando Valley State College, now known as Cal State Northridge. In college, he also played basketball for the Matadors. During the 1963-64 season, he set the school record for the highest free throw shooting percentage in a single season, a record that stood for 50 years. Even in college, he was known for his sense of humor, charm, friendly demeanor, and welcoming smile. He stayed at Northridge to get his Master's Degree in Business and his teaching credential. During this time he became smitten with an undergraduate girl, Nickie Giachino. It was the beginning of a love story that would last 57 years when Chuck and Nickie got married at St. Nicholas Cathedral on August 27, 1967.

In the Fall of 1967, Chuck began his teaching career at Pasadena High School. Soon thereafter, Chuck and Nickie began their lives together at their first home in Burbank, and moved in the late 1970s to their current Burbank home where they raised their family and lived together for over 40 years. In March, 1971, his daughter, Debi, was born, followed by his son, Ken, in July of 1973. After a few years teaching at PHS and Wilson Jr. High, he transferred to John Muir High School in the Fall of 1972. John Muir High would become his home for the rest of his career and where he became a beloved teacher and basketball coach for generations of families.

He was the Frosh-Soph basketball coach for over 15 years there from 1972-1987. Over his 38-year teaching career he taught a total of 38 different classes within 8 different departments including Business, Math, Social Science, Physical Education, and Applied Skills like Typing. His care for his students, dedication to their learning and character development, sense of humor and corny jokes, and enthusiastic school spirit made him a legend at the school, especially while in his blue and gold spirit outfits that he wore at school events like the Turkey Tussle. Chuck also taught for 25 years at Pasadena City College and 5 years at Cal State L.A. and Cal State Northridge. He was also the co-author of a high school textbook, Consumer Education and Economics, that was used in classrooms nationwide for over 30 years. Over the course of his career, he was honored with a number of teaching awards including teacher and faculty service awards, community awards, and most inspirational teacher. After 38 years of teaching, Chuck retired in June, 2005. Even then he continued to dedicate himself to the Muir Alumni Association where he served as an active board member up until his passing.

Chuck was also an incredible family man who was actively involved in the many activities of his kids and community - from coaching the kids' teams, volunteering at the schools and his church, serving as the unofficial comedian or card trick magician at birthday parties, being the popcorn man at the high school football games, and just being there to support everything. He was also a huge supporter of Nickie and her Tupperware business. Throughout Tupperware, he was known for this enthusiastic spirit and support at local and national sales events, while also being the designated photographer to capture all the great moments and people that were part of Nickie's Bubbliers unit. This support, spirit, and commitment increased to a new level with the birth of his grandkids, Sarah (in 2005), Daniel (in 2007), and Christopher (in 2011). He was their proud Papa, and enjoyed every opportunity to be with them, laugh with them, play with them, and teach them. Through their activities, he also became well known and loved by the communities of his grandkids.

In May of 2022, Chuck was diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia, a type of dementia that started to impact his cognitive and speaking abilities. After a fall in June 2023, his conditioned progressively declined over the next 16 months until his passing on October 3, 2024. Even during this time, Chuck became a favorite of caregivers, known for his kindness and warming smile.

Chuck lived life to the fullest. In the words of another famous John Muir alumnus, Jackie Robinson, "Life is not a spectator sport." Chuck did not live life on the sidelines. He lived life on the court with everything that he got involved with and gave everything that he could to the people in his life. He brought joy, love, support, wisdom, compassion, and smiles to all who knew him in the many schools and organizations to which he contributed, and to the countless numbers of students, players, colleagues, friends, and family members whose lives he impacted in a memorable and profound way. The world was lucky to have Chuck Malouf. He would be most proud to know that his legacy and teachings live on through each of us who have been blessed to know him and will carry on the principles, values, teachings, and character that he demonstrated every day of his life. May his memory be eternal!

He will be deeply missed by all who knew him, especially his students, colleagues, and family.

A funeral service for Charles will be held on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM at St. Michael Antiochian Orthodox Church, located at 16643 Vanowen St, Los Angeles, CA 91406. A graveside service will follow from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Pierce Brothers Valhalla Memorial Park and Mortuary, 10621 Victory Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91606.

Charles's legacy of teaching, love for basketball, and dedication to his community will continue to live on in the hearts of those he touched. May he rest in peace.