Kenneth “Ken” Malone | Courtesy Diana Thomas
MOORE — After 98 years, Moore resident Kenneth “Ken” Malone is aware of a factor or two about dwelling a cheerful and wholesome life.
He’s celebrating his birthday Friday, and is reminiscent about his a few years.
Kenneth “Ken” Malone was born in 1922, in Castleford, a metropolis west of Twin Falls the place he grew up. He devoted a portion of his life to the army. He served as a Navy pilot in World Battle II and the Korean Battle.
In 1944, he married Jo Frances in Texas on a Navy airbase. Twenty years later, their solely youngster got here alongside.
An enormous a part of Malone’s life was spent breeding and elevating racehorses. Not solely did he win awards for it, however he helped type an affiliation that led to the Idaho Horse Racing Act being handed on March 5, 1963. The aim of the Act was to authorize and regulate horse racing and a betting system on horse races.
Quickly after it was handed, former Gov. Cecil Andrus appointed Malone because the Idaho Horse Racing Commissioner.
Over time, Malone has hardly slowed down. He stays closely concerned within the horse racing group to today. He retains occupied by predicting the winners of horse races on-line. He often analyzes two or three completely different horse tracks, every day.
However he additionally tries to find time for household. He’d not too long ago been visiting his son in Philadelphia for the vacations when he obtained sick. After staying there to get better, he obtained higher, however then COVID-19 hit.
“(My son mentioned) ‘Papa, we obtained to get you out of right here and the most secure place for you with this virus is Idaho (and) we’re not going to place you on the aircraft. We’re going to go on a prepare,” Malone remembers his son saying.
After touring for a number of days by rail, Malone returned to Idaho. He didn’t go to Castleford although, he moved to Moore to be near a relative. Beginning on this new journey at his age is one thing some individuals may battle with, however Malone is aware of a factor or two about profiting from the time he’s been given.
He not too long ago spoke with EastIdahoNews.com to impart a number of the knowledge he has gained.
“I inform all people to handle your coronary heart. It’s the most respected factor you personal,” he mentioned. “With out your coronary heart, you don’t have anything. I don’t care how a lot cash you bought, with out your well being, you don’t have anything.”
He recommends train, consuming loads of fruits and having a interest.
“I’ve lots of anxiousness. In reality, I’ve even been hospitalized for it,” he mentioned. “I can’t simply sit nonetheless. I’ve to be doing one thing, so I analyze horses that race.”
Though he’s legally blind, he has a machine that helps him so he can learn in regards to the races.
“In life, you want one thing to stay up for. With out it, you simply die. I’ve heard so many individuals in my lifetime that labored on the identical job all their life. (When) they retire (and) by no means did have a interest of any form, they’re misplaced. They don’t have something to stay up for,” he mentioned. “To me, it’s crucial to have one thing to stay up for all of your life.”
Malone believes it’s vital individuals expertise every part they will in life.
He mentioned he didn’t plan on dwelling to be almost a century previous, however of all the teachings he’s realized in life, one stands out to him essentially the most.
“Don’t take life too significantly since you don’t get out of it alive,” Malone mentioned with a smile.