Leo S. Mallard, Jr., 52, of Covington, passed away November 19, 2016. Mallard was a former science educator at Eastside High School, of the Newton County Board of Education. He was a native of Covington, and attended Piedmont Academy (K-12) where he graduated in 1982. Mallard went on to attend Georgia Southern where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order, then later transferred to UGA, where he received a B.S. in Forestry Resources with a concentration in Wildlife Management and Biology in 1988. While at UGA, he became a member of the Phi Kappa Phi, Alpha Zeta, and Xi Sigma Honor Societies, and was also an active member of the National and UGA Chapter of the Wildlife Society and UGA Forestry Club. Mallard was also the recipient of the Southeastern Timberland Scholarship. He then served as an Environment Education Specialist at Rock Eagle 4-H Center for two years, then was hired as the Director of The Environmental Forest for the Elbert County Board of Education for two years. Mallard has been involved in Scouting for 20 plus years, earning the rank of Eagle Scout, and becoming a member of the Order of the Arrow. He served as Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Scout Master and Scout Master of Troop 222. Mallard also served as the District Camping Director, and attended Philmont Scout Ranch as a Crew Chief (1981) and Adult Supervisor (1989). For three summers, he served as the Program Director for Bert Adams Scout Reservation. From 1993 to present, Mallard has been a science teacher for the Newton County Board of Education, teaching at Cousins Middle School and Eastside High School (2003 – present). He has served as School Webmaster for both schools, Science Department Chair (Cousins), Hearing Panel Member, Technology Committee, Partners in Education Committee, SACS Committee Member, Field Day County Committee, Track Coach, Assistant Football Coach and the Outdoorsmen Club Sponsor and Staff Development Instructor. Mallard was recognized as a Class Nobel Educator of Distinction by the National Society of High School Scholars, and was selected as Eastside High School 2016-2017 Teacher of the Year. He was preceded in death by his father, Leo S. Mallard, Sr.; grandparents, Leo and Mary S. Mallard, Allen J. and Isabel B. Gilbert.
Survivors include his wife of 21 years, Renée A. Mallard; daughter, Mackenzie L. Mallard; mother, Barbara G. Mallard; sister and brother-in-law, Lisa D. and Frank Goveaszzo of Cumming; brothers and sisters-in-law, Judson D. and Lesli D. Mallard of Athens; Clayton T. and Laura W. Mallard of Alpharetta, GA; nieces and nephews, Connor P. Lee, Gabriella N. Vitetta, Dominic A. Vitetta, Mason A. Mallard, Morgan K. Mallard, Nicholas P. Mallard, Jeremy R. Mallard, Martina A. Goveaszzo, and Melissa L.Goveaszzo.
A memorial service for Mallard will be held Saturday, November 26, 2016, 2 p.m., at the Chapel of Caldwell & Cowan, 1215 Access Road, in Covington, with Dr. Alan Posey officiating. Friends may visit with his family at the funeral home, Friday, November 25, 2016, from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Memorial Program, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.
Visit caldwellandcowan.com to place online condolences or call 770-786-7062.
