James V. "Capt'N Jim" Mcmahan

James V. “Capt’n Jim” McMahan Jr, age 82, of Bel Air, Maryland peacefully passed away on April 14, 2021 of liver cancer. Born in Baltimore, he was the son of Chief (Emeritus) J. Vaughan McMahan Sr and Selena McMahan, nee Pickett. Capt’n Jim is survived by his sister, Pauline P. Tyndall of Absecon, NJ; son, James V. McMahan III and daughter-in-law, Jennifer McMahan of Bel Air; daughter, Rev. Betsy Diann McMahan of Bel Air; two grandchildren, Carlyn Anita McMahan and James V. (Jack) McMahan IV; stepson, Sean Edmund Coffey of Knoxville, TN; and his lady, Patricia Welk Wolf of White Hall.

Capt’n Jim lived his life as a proud and loyal citizen of Bel Air. He appreciated being born, raised, and educated in Harford County. He was truly a hometown boy who cared deeply for his neighbors and contributed to the growth and welfare of his community. He had an expanded sense of family, which included his friends, neighbors, and Harford County itself and possessed boundless energy and enthusiasm for helping his fellow man.

Capt’n Jim was a lifelong learner. After graduating from Bel Air High School in 1956, he received a B.A. degree from Western Maryland College and was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Signal Corp upon graduation in 1960. He was called to active duty in 1961, disrupting his studies at the University of Baltimore Law School. He was appointed an Academic Fellow after graduating in 2011 from the University of Maryland’s Academy of Excellence for Local Governance, School of Public Policy. Most recently, Capt’n Jim was pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Biblical Archeology at Newburgh Theological Seminary and College of the Bible and anticipated graduating this June.

Capt’n Jim served in the 128th Signal Company and 972nd Signal Battalion. He was awarded an Army Commendation, the National Defense Ribbon, the Reserve Component Ribbon, and the Maryland Army National Guard Meritorious Service Award. Capt’n Jim retired as a Colonel (MD) after serving more than thirty years on active duty, in the Army Reserves, and in the MDDF (State Guard.) For over fifteen years after retiring, he was the Ceremonial Commander of Midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy for the Annual French Monument Ceremony which honors the French soldiers who gave their lives during the American Revolution. For this service, he was awarded the French National Defense Medal, Gold Echelon. Major General Randy S. Taylor, U.S. Army, Retired, also presented him with the Army Public Service Commendation Medal. He loved his country and above all else, wanted to be remembered as a patriot.

Capt’n Jim’s service to his local community spanned decades. His efforts to improve his community in the 1960s included working with Main Street merchants to remove overhead power lines and poles to enhance and modernize downtown Bel Air. He also championed the request to place a Jewish menorah at the Bel Air Town Hall. In 1967, he was selected as one of “Maryland’s Five Outstanding Young Men” by the Maryland Jaycees. Capt’n Jim was one of the original founders of the Bel Air Fourth of July Parade, co-founder of the Bel Air Community Band, founder and Director (Emeritus) of the Bel Air Community Chorus, he served as President of the Bel Air Chamber of Commerce, was President and founder of the Ripken Museum in Aberdeen, served as the Public Safety liaison for the County Council, and served as liaison and President of the Liriodendron Foundation which maintains the former summer home of Dr. Howard Kelly, one of the founding surgeons of the Johns Hopkins Hospital. He contributed to Bel Air as a life member of the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company and was a sworn officer of the Bel Air Police Department. He was elected to serve on the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners (2003-2006) and Harford County Council (2006-2018). Capt’n Jim spent his whole life in Harford County, had his business here, and retired here after the military. Capt’n Jim restructured the Harford County Veterans’ Affairs Commission, established the annual Veterans’ Fair, and was an outspoken speaker on veteran’s behalf. He remained active with the Harford County Veterans’ Affairs Commission until his passing.

Capt’n Jim’s family was honored to learn that Harford County Executive Barry Glassman is sending legislation to the County Council renaming the Harford County Veterans’ Affairs Commission as the “James V. ‘Capt’n Jim’ McMahan Commission on Veterans Affairs.” County Executive Glassman has also ordered the Harford County flags lowered in his memory from sunrise on April 30 through sunset on May 2.

Capt’n Jim was a recognized radio personality, as well. He was affiliated with WBAL Radio and Television for many years and became General Manager of WVOB in Bel Air in 1968. In 1978, Capt’n Jim and a group of investors purchased WAMD in Aberdeen. He served as President of the Chesapeake AP Broadcaster’s Association. He and his partner, Bob Callahan, hosted the Bob and Jim Morning Radio Show, where among others, the morning fun included Jimmy the Baker, Bird Man Todd Holden, Paul Grubb’s Slick Greason, and numerous local children who shared the school lunch menus. He retired from radio in 2003.
Notable recognition includes his selection as the Maryland State Society Daughters of the American Revolution Outstanding Veteran Volunteer of 2019 which was symbolic of Capt’n Jim’s life. In January 2021 Capt’n Jim was issued a proclamation naming him a Harford County Living Treasure. He served his community without reserve.

Services will be held at the Bel Air United Methodist Church, 21 Linwood Avenue, Bel Air, MD 21014. The family will receive guests on Friday, April 30, 2021 from 4 – 8 PM. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 1, at 11 AM. COVID-19 protocols for social distancing and mask wearing will be in place Friday and Saturday. The memorial service will also be live streamed.

In lieu of flowers, Capt’n Jim requested donations be made in his memory to the American Legion Post 55, 115 N Bond St., Bel Air, MD 21014 so that they may continue their support of veterans and complete the SGT Alfred B. Hilton Medal of Honor Battlefield mural on Bond Street in Bel Air.