G. Keener Mallicote

G. Keener Mallicote, 87, of Kingsport died unexpectedly on April 9, 2026 as a result of a cardiac event at his home. 

Born August 23, 1938 to Esther and Homer Mallicote, Keener was a lifelong resident of the Kingsport area. He graduated from Lynn View High School in 1956, working first at AFG and later at Mallicote Printing. In 1981 he launched his first business, Inové Graphics. In 1985 he founded Contour Industries in a building so small that turning the forklift around required driving it outside. From those humble beginnings, he grew Contour into a business that employed 125 people and supplied glass to the appliance, construction, automotive, and technology industries. He ran the company with a commitment to the well-being of all its people and treasured the friendships he made there long after selling the business. To the end of his life, he insisted he wasn’t retired, just “between jobs.” 

On March 22, 1975, he married Nancy Green Mallicote of Richmond, KY. She was his match in every sense of the word, and he credited her as the source of his happiness and success. They loved each other well for fifty-one years. 

Keener would tell you he enjoyed working, but the truth is that he had a drive to beautify and improve the world around him. That found outlet in restoring old cars, growing flowers and tomatoes, and generally repairing or touching up everything in his path. He was a gifted writer and storyteller, a skilled draftsman, and had a lightning-quick sense of humor. His most annoying trait was offering unsolicited advice to his loved ones, generally prefaced with “I’ll tell you what I’d do.” This was annoying largely because of how often he was right. He could be infuriatingly hard-headed and beautifully soft-hearted, often at the same time. 

Keener is survived by his wife, Nancy; children, Pam Mallicote Shapiro (Milt) of Santa Fe, NM, Kendra Mallicote of Kingsport, and Ben Mallicote (Menke) of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren, Will McDavid (Malory) of Kingsport, Noel McCurry (Jackson) of Kingsport; great-grandchildren, Cooper and Callie McCurry and Millie McDavid; and siblings, Joan Morelock, Patricia Albert, Hike Mallicote, and Zandra Mallicote. He was preceded in death by siblings Jack Mallicote, Joy Mallicote, Barbara Zachary, Betty Barnes, and Kenneth Mallicote. 

The family will receive friends on Monday, April 13, 2026 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport.

Graveside services will be conducted on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Oak Hill Memorial Park.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at First Broad Street United Methodist Church, 100 E. Church Circle, Kingsport, TN 37660 with Rev. Dr. Randy Frye officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Holston Home for Children, 404 Holston Dr., Greeneville, TN 37743.