Riki Clark Malott

Riki Clark Malott, age 75, of Fort Worth, TX, a former long-time resident of North Richland Hills, TX passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 15, 2021.

Riki was born on February 4, 1945 in Shrewsbury, England to Harry Lyle Clark and Nancy Marjorie Coppola (Peade). Riki’s parents met during WWII when her English grandmother would invite soldiers to dinner to meet her daughters. They quickly fell in love and were married. Not long after, Riki was born. By her second birthday, the family relocated to the USA from England. In Belding, Michigan, the family laid roots surrounded by family including three new siblings; Tarin, Pam, and Holly. In her youth, Riki would spend her days enjoying Girl Scouts, exploring the woods, camping, having picnics by the lake, and reading in any nook. Though, Riki enjoyed life in America, she never lost her English roots. She enjoyed summer visits to Oxford with her grandparents. She shared stories of having tea and biking in the English countryside to her children and grandchildren. Upon graduating high school, Riki started university. But her time at university was paused when her all her siblings, uncle and cousin were tragically killed by a drunk driver.

Though Riki walked through many challenges and tragedies in her life, she continued to learn, grow and strive for a better for herself, her children and others. While her children were young, Riki returned to school steadily taking one course at a time in the evenings and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Dallas Baptist University. She modeled the value of education and that one can overcome age and obstacles to achieve life goals. Riki embodied service throughout her life. As a true girl scout, she exemplified the mentality of “invest in girls and change the world”. She spent weekends volunteering at a home for abused girls, tutored struggling readers at the local elementary school and served as Girl Scouts troop leader for her daughters and granddaughters. In addition to volunteering, she spent many years working for Girl Scouts mentoring leaders and building Girl Scout participation in the area. After retiring, she volunteered in the Altar Guild at her church, St. Michael’s Anglican Church. Prior to her death, she spent many years caring for her belated mother, Marjorie where they enjoyed traveling, proper afternoon tea at the antique mall and the occasional margarita at their favorite Mexican restaurant.

Riki was an avid reader. Her favorite book was a “Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle. She would run off on grand adventures with ever book she read. She was always reading something whether it was a nonfiction book or a Georgette Heyer saucy historical romance novel. Riki could read at least one book a day, if she had the time.

In addition to being an avid reader, she loved the outdoors and being active. Riki and her beloved husband, Jim, spent time in Mexico enjoying the beach, snorkeling, dancing the night away with Jim. They would pinch pennies, if necessary, to find a way to enjoy a trip once a year.

On any given day, you might have found Riki reading, catching the latest Hugh Jackman movie with Susan and Sandi, touring a model home with Jim to be inspired, drinking margaritas with her mum, or on one of her weekly treks to the library with her grandchildren always followed by a trip to McDonald’s for an ice cream. Whether it was Grandparent’s Day Program at an Elementary school, a proper tea at an antique mall, a baseball game or marching band half time show, she was present. When people asked if she was from Texas, she would say “no, but I got here as fast as I could.” You often would hear her asking anyone she met who was from a foreign country how to say “hello” in their native language. Once they told her, she would greet them properly in their native language. She loved to laugh and gave hugs that made you sink into her. She had a Texas sized smile that lit up her eyes. She saw beauty and value in everyone. She had a way of making everyone feel like they were the most interesting, beautiful and funniest person she ever met. She was that kind of person.

Riki is survived by her children Riki-Jo Acuna and husband David and her children Lauren Hook and wife Devin, Victoria Hook, and Thomas Hook Jr.; Aprel Dobson and husband David and daughters Liberty and Phoebe Dobson; Rachel Rump and husband Kevin with children Gavin and Emily Rump; and Regean Kurtz and husband Brian and daughter Miranda Kurtz; Merri Cronk and husband Scott and sons Kyle and AJ Cronk; Kelly Malott; sister-in-law Sandi Rollin and husband Paul, Susan Malott. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Holly Clark and Pam Clark and brother Tarin Clark; and her beloved husband, Jim Malott.

Family and friends are welcome to gather for a Celebration of Life on Saturday, February 27, 2021 at 2:00pm at the St. Michael’s Anglican Church, 3800 Popplewell Street, Richland Hills, TX 76118.