James Edwin Major, Jr., better known to his friends and family as "Jimmy", was born in Baltimore, Maryland on January 18, 1946. Later his family moved to Relay, Maryland where he and his two brothers and sisters spent most of their childhood. After graduating from Lansdowne High School in 1967, he attended Catonsville Community College for a semester before enlisting in the United States Army in the early part of 1968. While in the army, he served in Vietnam where he calculated the projectile of big artillery guns. Upon the completion of his tour of duty, he arrived home without having made a decision as to what career he would choose. But like many others in his family, he eventually decided on a career with the B&O Railroad.

Jimmy hired on the B&O Railroad on October 27, 1969 as a Trainman. His first promotion was to Yard Foreman on April 30, 1974 followed by promotion to Terminal Foreman on February 24, 1977. He was next promoted to Freight Conductor on May 1, 1992 followed by promotion to Passenger Conductor on December 19, 1993.

As a member of Local 610 of the United Transportation Union, Jimmy took an interest in the representation of his fellow employees. He was first elected to position of Vice-Local Chairman in 1982 and elevated to position of Local Chairman in 1986 where he served on the B&O General Committee of Adjustment. Jimmy was also elected to the position of Legislative Representative in 1992 where he served as an Executive Board Member on the Maryland State Legislative Board.

Jimmy was married in 1976 and by 1978 he was the proud father of a fine son. As dedicated as Jimmy was to his job on the railroad and his positions as a labor leader, he still found time to be a devoted husband, father, and son to his family. He loved the railroad and the life that it enabled him to give to his family.

On February 16, 1996, while working as Passenger Conductor on MARC Train 286, Jimmy was tragically killed in a head on collision with the Amtrak Capitol Limited. Fellow employees Ricky Orr and Jim Quillen and eight students from the Harpers Ferry West Virginia Job Corps also lost their lives.

Through his job and positions as a labor representative, Jimmy established many relationships and touched many lives. His hard work and dedication to his jobs and family earned him great respect from the people who knew him personally. Jimmy was a dedicated railroader who loved life and he will be missed by all.

In his memory, the Maryland State Legislative Board developed a scholarship program for the benefit their members and their families. The program was developed with the intent of providing a chance for their members and families to have the financial burden of securing a college education lessened. The scholarship doesn't equal the cost of a year's attendance, but helps offset the cost of securing a most important tool for life - a college education.

To be eligible for the scholarship, the applicant must be a member of a Maryland UTU Local or connected to a member by being a spouse, child, stepchild, or grandchild. The applicant must also be accepted for admittance or already enrolled at a recognized accredited university, college, or junior college for at least 12 credit hours per semester.

Once chosen, the winner will receive a $500.00 scholarship each year for the next four years provided they maintain a satisfactory academic record. It will be the responsibility of the student to provide the scholarship committee with verification of their eligibility to receive the scholarship. The Maryland State Legislative Board Scholarship Committee will make all decisions in reference to the management of the scholarship and eligibility.

In order to finance the scholarship program, the board conducts a golf fundraiser each year. For more information on the fundraiser or to submit an application for the scholarship please follow the links below.