Kenneth Paul Malmstrom, 82, of Waynesville, NC, passed away suddenly on Saturday, April 25, 2026.

Ken was born on February 9, 1944, in Queens, New York, to Harold and Madeline (Doppler) Malmstrom. Raised in Centerport, Long Island, he developed a lifelong passion for boating. He graduated from Harborfields High School in 1962 and earned an accounting degree from Long Island University’s CW Post College in 1966. Ken enjoyed a successful real estate career in Pinellas County, FL, before moving to Waynesville in 2002, where he owned the Brookside Mountain Mist B&B. An avid traveler, he visited all 48 contiguous states in his RV. Ken was a friend to all and was often seen in his neighborhood walking his beloved dog, Maverick.

Ken is survived by his sister, Cheryl Villemagne (Dick); niece, Tammy King (Kenny); nephew, Justin Mulloy (Kendra); and three great-nephews, Austin King, Brennan King, and JD Mulloy. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Madeline Malmstrom (Yerkes), and his stepfather, Harlan Yerkes.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 7th, at 2:00 PM at Calvary Road Baptist Church, 2701 Soco Road, Maggie Valley, NC. A reception at the church will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ken’s honor to tunnel to Towers or the Wounded Warrior Project.