Dr. James A. Malone

Graveside service for Dr. James A. Malone will be held on Friday May 19, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. with Elder James Reed officiating at Rest Haven Memorial Park, 4615 E. Hanna Avenue, Tampa, Florida.  Military Honors will be conducted by the United States Marine Corp.  There will be a viewing on Thursday May 18, 2023 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Wilson Funeral Home, 3000 N. 29th Street, Tampa, Florida 33605.

We are saddened at the passing of Dr. James Albert Malone PhD  (April 1932- 2023) beloved husband, father, and grandfather.  Son of William and Hensie (Esther) Malone (Slack) and the 7th of 10 children.   He was a native of Akron Ohio. He was a graduate of Garfield High School where he excelled in Basketball and Football. After graduation, James enlisted in the United States Marine where he achieved the rank of Corporal. 

 During the Korean War under the GI Bill, he attended first Akron University where he acquired a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and pledged Κappa Αlpha Psi (KAΨ) Gamma Tau (ΓΤ) Chapter 1957. He received his Master’s in Social Work from Rutgers University. 

 James moved to New York City in the late 1950’s, which was a lifelong dream.  In 1963 he married Rubie M. (Smith) a native of Tampa Florida. After moving to Brooklyn, they began their family which consisted of a daughter Tracy Charisse, and a son Sean Courtney.

 Beginning a long and illustrious career in community service, James worked for the Welfare Department of New York City while pursuing his Masters of Social Work. In 1970, he was hired at John Jay College of Criminal Justice as an Assistant Professor. After achieving his PhD from Union Institute University in 1980, James achieved the title of Full Professor. Through his years at John Jay College, he held the positions of Assistant Dean and Dean of Students, Co-creator of the SEEK program for students in need. Dean of SEEK, Vice President of Student Affairs, and Dean of Counseling. He retired from John Jay with the title of Professor Emeritus 

 His community works included but were not limited to:  the Community School Board of District 9, a member of the Comus Club, Board of Trustees Church of the Evangel, Founder of the “They’re All My Kids” Program, Past President of the Weeksville Society.  He was a beloved and involved Jack and Jill Father, as well as a Connecting LINK.

Dr. James Malone is survived by his daughter, Tracy (Person) and her husband, Darrin Person; their sons, Gage, Cameron and Liam; their daughter, Jewell; his son, Sean C. Malone and his daughter, Taylor. He will be truly missed and is an example of a life lived well, and abundantly.  In lieu of flowers please make donations in hour of Dr. James A. Malone by going to https://new.jjay.cuny.edu/donate.

Drs. James and Rubie Malone Scholarship


Winning a basketball scholarship changed the course of James Malone’s life, just as winning an academic scholarship changed the life of his wife, Rubie. Through the James and Rubie Malone Scholarship, two former vice presidents of John Jay College would like to give other students the same opportunities they had to reach their potential.

James Malone attended the University of Akron and went on to become director of John Jay’s SEEK Program, the dean of students and ultimately, vice president for administrative affairs. Rubie Malone, attended Clark College — now Clark Atlanta University, then went to the Hunter School of Social Work for a master’s degree and to Columbia University for a doctorate, retired in 2009 as assistant vice president for strategic planning.

As a testament to their belief in the John Jay College mission, “Educating for Justice,” and their desire to leave a lasting legacy, the James and Rubie Malone Scholarship was established.  It is awarded annually to a sophomore student in good standing who demonstrates need, merit, and a commitment to community service. The scholarship, in the amount of $1,500, will be used to help defray the cost of the first semester of the student’s sophomore year. 

Award Amount: $1,500

Requirements:

Matriculated undergraduate student
Minimum 3.0 Cumulative grade point average
Community service in and outside the College
Financial need as demonstrated by little or no family contribution (determined through FAFSA)






 

EULOGY FOR DR. JAMES ALBERT MALONE

My Father James Malone was a true visionary, and he Loved a good story. As his daughter and a storyteller, I would Like to tell you a little bit of his.  He was the 7th son of William (called Hoss) for his love of hard work and Hensie (called Esther ) because she didn’t like her name and decided she could change it to something she felt was prettier. It’s fitting that my dad would be born of both hard work and the desire to change what he thought should be different or better, because the story I will tell is of a man who worked hard to accomplish much, and always worked to change things for the better. My father feared little, except our possible lack of success, Found ways to do what he wanted, and was always a man with a plan!

 I remember dad telling me that as far back as he could remember, he had vision. He told me that at 3 years old he had a wishing chair. He said he would sit under that chair certain that he was in the wrong place living in Akron Ohio. He determined then that when he got big, he would go far far away and go he did. But I’m jumping ahead.

 Dad grew up poor, very poor. Early on his mother took ill, leaving his older brother and sister to care for the younger ones while my grandfather worked. My father told me they took 1 bath a week, that there was not enough good food to eat, that as a depression era child, he often ate oatmeal every day, even sometimes for dinner.  He never had a birthday cake or party till my mother gave him one. He told me they had to get charity presents from Good Year rubber factory. His clothes were raggedy, and it wasn’t thought that he would amount to much.

 Dad did not do well in school. Being an educator myself and looking at his writing, I would say he was probably dyslexic. He excelled at the spoken word, but not the written. Despite the fact that he wasn’t considered smart, he was popular in secondary school.  Sports were his escape and he excelled at it.  He also took more than a few whooping from his dad when he tried to play them. His coach Mr. Bickley saw something in him as well as his best friend’s wealthier parents. They pushed him to be better and helped begin his leadership journey.

 Dad went to the US Marine Corp so that he could take advantage of the GI bill. This afforded him the ability to travel. Dad was like a sponge. He never missed an opportunity to learn something new. And he learned from other cultures, his superior officers and the other enlisted men.

 He left the military and entered Akron University and found that if he really concentrated, he could do well at his studies, again the theme of hard work is present here. I had to tell you what he overcame to have the next part of his life truly resonate. Dad decided to move to NY with his cousin and best friend Andrew and here is where his story gets fun!

 Those of you who knew him, knew he LOVED Jazz! He loved NYC as well. He lived his BEST life, following Miles Davis and going to jazz clubs, playing chess with fellow Midwesterner and artist, Gordon Parks, living in Greenwich Village and dressing to impress. At a fraternity awards party, he met my mother. He said she walked across the stage, to give an award.  He saw her legs and he turned to his coworker and said that’s my wife. He would not accept no for an answer.

 My mother said there was nothing that he ever wanted that he could not get.  She was his great love! They were inseparable. My dad had a strong will, but he was always willing to laugh and play. He was a strong disciplinarian but would listen to you if you had something sensible to say. As a matter of fact, he would infuriate my mom by saying my arguments were brilliantly thought out and logical when I had done wrong and was trying to talk my way out of it!

 Dad was stubborn, but mostly fair. You could talk to him, even argue with him, but you’d better have your facts straight.  He was a gentleman but tough. He would send you back out to fight an opponent if you didn’t tell him you won.  He had lovely manners but could also be quite rude if he didn’t like a person or situation. He was a self-confessed bon vivant and raconteur (he loved the French language, and those words are French for loving to talk BS). He almost always won, but was a gracious loser.

 Dad taught us that the world was big, and that we could have anything we were willing to work for. My brother and I were spoiled, but it was made clear that we had to have a practical plan for life and excel at that plan.  He taught us along with mom self-love, to compete with no-one but ourselves, and love the community. They were tireless in their service of the community. They were both like surrogate fathers to half of Brooklyn and Manhattan.  My father once organized a little basketball team for the fatherless neighborhood boys. He got a homeless student at John Jay with a high GPA housing. The man is now a famous entertainment lawyer. I try hard to follow in their footsteps to give those who want to do the work a fighting chance.

 Some of his best phrases:

Do what you love, and money will follow.

Work smarter not harder.

Make them pay you for what you know.

Think he would say, “Think before you act.”

Sometimes he would exclaim: “That’s just dumb!” then you Knew you had disappointed him.

 He was a true original who did things his way. He achieved everything he could ever wanted in life and more.

Daddy, I know I am making you proud because before you lost speech and left you told me so. See?  I am thinking, I am serving, I am following in your footsteps. You are with your pudding but be not far from me. I will see you again. “Farewell good and faithful servant.”