Edward (Ted) O’Malley, Jr., a longtime Flinn Foundation board member and dedicated businessman, civic leader, and volunteer, died July 9 at his Phoenix home. He was 90.
O’Malley joined the Flinn board in 1982 and served for more than two decades, including in the role of treasurer, before retiring in 2005. He served as an honorary board member after his retirement.
O’Malley was born and raised in Phoenix and attended the University of Notre Dame, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1951.
After a two-year stint with the U.S. Army Audit Agency in southern California, O’Malley returned to Arizona and joined the family business, O’Malley Lumber Company, and served in managerial roles until retiring as chair of the board in 1990.
O’Malley was dedicated to service and an active volunteer, giving his time at St. Vincent de Paul, St. Mary’s Food Bank and Andre House. In addition to Flinn, he served on the board of the Thunderbird School of Global Management, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, and Arizona Bank, among others. He also served a term on the Phoenix City Council.
O’Malley’s father, Ted Sr., was a charter member of the Flinn Foundation’s board of trustees at its inception in 1965. He served on the board until his death in 1982. Ted Jr. was then named to the board, starting a tenure that oversaw the creation of the Flinn Scholars Program, the opening of the Flinn Foundation building, and the launch of Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap.
O’Malley is survived by six children, 13 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
The Flinn Foundation’s nine-member board of directors meets quarterly to award grants in the biosciences and arts and culture, and to support the Flinn Scholars Program and Arizona Center for Civic Leadership; develop the foundation’s programs and areas of focus; approve the annual budget; and other responsibilities involved in stewarding the Foundation.