James A. Haynie, a retired security system supervisor and fire buff, died Monday of cardiac arrest at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. The Highlandtown resident was 84.

Mr. Haynie was born and raised in Baltimore and was a graduate of city public schools. During World War II, he served in communications with the 194th Glider Battalion -- which was a part of the 101st Airborne Division, better known as the Screaming Eagles -- during the Battle of the Bulge.

At the end of the war, he returned to Baltimore and went to work as a bicycle messenger in the old Baltimore Street Western Union office delivering telegrams.

He later joined American District Telegraph Co., a security company that is now part of Tyco International Ltd. He was a supervisor when he retired in 1986.

Mr. Haynie, a lifelong fire buff and collector of fire memorabilia, was a founder in the late 1940s of the Box 414 Association, a volunteer organization that provides food and coffee to firefighters working second-alarm fires or bigger.

"He had his fire collectibles displayed in the dining room of his home," said Robert Kane, a nephew.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, 5401 Eastern Ave.

Also surviving are his wife of 54 years, the former Joyce V. Moats; a sister, Katherine Eckert of Arbutus; and several other nieces and nephews.