John "Babe" Kent Mallaro

John ("Jack, "Babe") Kent Mallaro, 81, of Fort Dodge, died on January 26, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. Celebration of Life 1:30 PM Saturday May 22, 2021 at Veteran's Memorial Park- 1386 National Ave - Fort Dodge Laufersweilers-Sievers Funeral Home is serving the family. He was born November 10, 1939 in Buhl, Minnesota to Carl and Lois (Dawson) Mallaro, the youngest of three children. His family relocated to Fort Dodge when he was seven. Babe graduated from Fort Dodge High School in 1957. He attended Fort Dodge Junior College, where he played football and baseball, then earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Mankato State College in Minnesota and a master's degree from St. Louis University. After teaching high school math in Adel-DeSoto, he returned to Fort Dodge. He spent his career working at Iowa Central Community College, and in subsequent years worked as a graphic designer. He is survived by two brothers, Tom of Sun City, Arizona and Dan of Charles City, Iowa, along with three nieces, three nephews, many cousins and extended family, as well as countless friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, nephew Rod Mallaro and beloved dog Ebony. Babe starred in baseball, football and basketball for the Dodgers, being involved in many exciting Fort Dodge wins in the 1950's. He was the head baseball coach at Iowa Central for many years. He enjoyed golf, cooking, organizing projects & events, cars, conversations around coffee, and singing karaoke, especially with his brother Tom. He was a caretaker to his Mom, Dad and Aunt Ruth Wagner in their later years. Babe lived most of his life in Fort Dodge but in recent years spent winters in Arizona.