Malcolm Hayes Leite

Posted on January 29, 2025

Malcolm Hayes Leite of Citrus Springs moved to heaven the evening of Jan 8, 2025, at the age of 81.

Born April 28, 1943, in Jacksonville, and raised in Perry, Mal was a true southerner who had the greatest sense of humor. He was a very proud husband, father and grandfather.

He is survived by his wife, Penny, (nee Bradley). They recently celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary.

He leaves behind three daughters from his first marriage to Helen Bishop Leite of Perry: Suzy Thrasher (Michael) of Crawfordville, Robin Welch (Jim) of Braselton, Ga., and Sandi Alexander (Steve Spell) of Crawfordville; and three children with his current wife, Penny, including: son, Malcolm James “Jamie” Leite (Tonya) of Dunnellon; daughter, Lynn Leite McKenzie of Gainesville; and Cassandra Thompson (Rusty), of Newberry.

He is also survived by his grandchildren, T.J. Edwards (Melissa), Megan Langston, Hayley Whipple (Adam), Cole Hampton, Rachel Welch, Juniper Leite and Griffin Thompson and lots of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and in-laws.

Malcolm graduated Taylor County High School (TCHS) in 1961 and played on the TCHS basketball team.

Malcolm’s early career started out as a DJ working for WPRY in Perry. He retired in real estate working for Del Webb Properties in Ocala. His “top producer” success at DW earned him a spot in their “Presidents Club.”

Mal’s passions included photography, music, traveling, bird watching, fishing, hunting and watching beach sunsets with his family.

If Malcolm wasn’t known for his unwavering strong personality, he was surely known for his love of the Florida Gators. He wore his Gator gear almost every day, and you could easily find him at “The Swamp” on game days.

A life well-lived. He will be missed.

Services will be held Sunday, Feb. 2, at 1 p.m. at Forest Lawn Funeral Home, located at 5740 S. Pine Street in Ocala,

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association.