Mr. James Wayland Malone was born on Thursday, August 22, 1940.  He was the fourth child born to the union of Louis Malone Sr. and Mattie Bolden Malone in the family home in East Saint Louis, Illinois.

Both of James' parents were Christians.  His mother, Mattie, ensured all of her children attended St. Paul Baptist Church in East St. Louis, Illinois.  He was baptized under the leadership of Reverend John Deshields.  During his youth, he served as a Sunday School Teacher at St. Paul.

James was enrolled at John Robinson Elementary School, Hughes-Quinn Jr. High School, and Lincoln Sr. High School in East St. Louis, IL.  During his formative years, he held several jobs-paperboy, etc. and summer employment at the Louis White Leather Factory.  James was active socially and played football.  He was a Lincoln Sr. High School graduate in the Class of 1958.

In 1959, James and Katie Dozier welcomed a beautiful baby boy.  They named him Larry.

Upon graduation from Lincoln Sr. High School, James attended Southern Illinois University at the Regional Campus.  He also attended Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois.   At the age of nineteen, he enlisted in the United States Air Force (USAF).  He served four years of active duty and received an honorable discharge in January 1965.

James met and married Glenda Hampton in 1964.  To this union, two wonderful children were born- Jamille and David.

In 1965, fresh out of service, James was immediately hired by the United States Postal Service, South Suburban Facility of Chicago, Illinois.  At that time, it was located at 7400 South Kostner across from the American Can Company, and was the largest and last fully manual operational post facility in the country.

In January 1968, James was thrust into the Presidency of the AFL-CIO South Suburban Facility Local 6591.  One of the first test of his young presidency was to lead the only phenomenally successful strike against the USPS in 1971.  The USPS Postal Inspectors informed strikers that anyone joining or leading the picket line would be jailed.  However, Local 6591 stood fast, walked, and marched. Eventually, the union prevailed nationally in " The Strike" with a 99% co-operation rate from the membership of this local.

Including his military service, James achieved sixty years of Federal Government Service.  He was lovingly referred to as James "Work" Malone by his Postal Union Family.  He provided over fifty-five years of service to his local, starting as a Union Steward and ending with over fifty years as APWU Local 6591's President.  James cared greatly about what he called the "Rank and File" Union workers and devoted most of his time to advancing their cause. James met with the United States Congress in the 1970's on behalf of the Postal Workers Union.  He officially retired from the United States Postal Service on July, 1, 2021.   At the time of his passing, he was still serving out his last elected term.

God blessed James with great Leadership Skills, as well as, Resiliency and Strength.  He was an asset to his family.  James had a gregarious, warm personality.  He never met a stranger, as he would befriend and talk with anyone.  James loved to play cards, talk, dine, travel, and engage with family and friends whenever possible.  Being a Leo, he was always the "life of the party"!

James Wayland Malone departed this life on Monday, January 21, 2022.  His beloved sister; Patricia, three brothers:  Louis, Charles, and Richard; and one nephew:  Tony Malone, all preceded him in death.

Leaving to cherish his memory are two sons: Larry Dozier (Dalchanique) Malone, David Malone; one daughter: Jamille Malone, one granddaughter:  Ke'Annah Malone; one grandson:  Ke'Shawn Belt; five sisters: Mary Blackburn (Charles), Carole Malone, Ruth Carr Townsend, Valerie Malone, and Cheri Malone-Gaston; two brothers:  Paul Malone (Elizabeth) and Michael Malone, one life-long friend: Earline Reed Malone; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.