James Edward “Jimmy” Malone Jr., a former state delegate and highway safety advocate who campaigned as “You’re never alone with Jimmy Malone,” died of cancer Dec. 16 at his Havre de Grace home. He was 67.

Mr. Malone, a Democrat, represented voters in parts of Baltimore, Howard and Carroll counties from 1995 to 2014 in the Maryland General Assembly. He was also a career firefighter.

Born in Baltimore and raised on Oakland Road in Arbutus, he was the son of James Edward “Ned” Malone Sr., who also served in the General Assembly, was a sheriff and worked for the Western Maryland Railway, and his wife, Margaret Daniels.

He was a graduate of Ascension School, Cardinal Gibbons High School, where he played football and basketball, and Catonsville Community College.

He joined the Arbutus Volunteer Fire Department at 18 and later joined the Baltimore County Fire Department. He retired as a lieutenant and served at the Halethorpe firehouse.

“His personality was the biggest. He was a joy to be around,” said his brother, Patrick Malone. “He put smiles on peoples’ faces.”

Mr. Malone was a well-known political figure in Arbutus, Catonsville and Lansdowne. As redistricting changed the composition of his district, he embraced votes in neighboring areas.

A 1994 Sun story detailing his first political campaign said Mr. Malone “held fast to two dreams — to be a firefighter and to hold elected office since the age of seven. The spirited challenge is just one sign that the district’s Democratic old guard is under siege for the first time in years.”

The article described Mr. Malone’s strongest edge as his family’s broad name recognition in Arbutus and Catonsville.

Mr. Malone said, “People are tired of the old guard. It’s time for someone who is not part of the system and can see things with a fresh focus.”

A friend, former state delegate Margaret L. “Maggie” McIntosh, said, “Jimmy was just a good guy, and he was just who he was. He was kind, smart and quick. He was devoted to his family, his constituents and his colleagues. When he said, ‘You’re never alone,’ he meant it.”

Ms. McIntosh said Mr. Malone was a tenacious advocate for highway safety and Maryland’s Emergency Medical System. She cited his experience as a fireman for ensuring that injured persons be airlifted by helicopter to receive emergency treatment.

After leaving the General Assembly, he became director of the Harford County Department of Parks and Recreation. He served for two years. He also joined the Susquehanna Hose Company Division 5.

Survivors include his wife, Darlene Goodrich Malone; a son, James Malone III, of Arbutus; a daughter, Danica Crumm of Essex-Middle River; a sister, Peggy Malone, of Arbutus; a brother, Patrick Malone, of Elkridge; two stepsons, Jesse Markov, of Eldersburg, and Shawn Markov, of Arbutus; and five grandchildren.

A funeral Mass was held Friday at Ascension Catholic Church in Halethorpe.

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