Richard W. McJilton, an insurance agency owner who was long active in Dundalk's business, civic and educational circles, died of cancer May 23 at his home. He was 82.
Born in Dundalk, he grew up in Sparrows Point on E Street. He was a 1946 graduate of Sparrows Point High School, where he played football. He competed in a 1944 Steel Bowl game between rivals Sparrows Point and Dundalk.
After high school, he enlisted in the Army and served as a squad leader and military police officer during the occupation of Japan after World War II. He then used the GI Bill of Rights to attend the former Western Maryland College, where he played lacrosse, and the University of Baltimore.
As a young man, Mr. McJilton worked at Bethlehem Steel and Norris Ford. He then founded the McJilton Insurance Service on Dundalk Avenue. He initially worked in an office building where his father also had an office, though each maintained separate accounts, family members said.
Mr. McJilton, who had not retired, was recognized for his 60 years of service as a Nationwide Insurance agent.
"He was the hardest-working man I've ever encountered," said his wife, the former Gloria K. Bangert. "He was in perpetual motion. He was a happy guy. I'd listen for his whistle while he raked the leaves or cut the grass. In the Home Depot, I always knew where he was by that whistle."
Mr. McJilton helped organize the Dundalk Chapter of the Maryland Junior Association of Commerce in 1959. In 1962, he was elected state president and went on to become national vice president of the organization a year later.
"If there was anything going on in Dundalk in the last 50 years, Dick was a part of it," said a friend, Tom Toporovich, who is former secretary to the Baltimore County Council. "Few could rival his record of community service."
In late 1961, Gov. J. Millard Tawes named him to serve on a state Planning Council to advise on the creation of a new general hospital for southeast Baltimore County. The group's work led to the building of Franklin Square Hospital Center. He also served on a state board for a pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair at Flushing Meadows.
"He was a great friend and activist for this community," said state Sen. Norman R. Stone. "He was one in a million."
He was also the first president of the Dundalk Community College Foundation and sat on the board of the Community College of Baltimore County for 10 years. Friends said he was an early advocate for creation of the school's Dundalk campus.
"He was a quiet gentleman who was powerful in his own way," said Sandra Kurtinitis, president of the Community College of Baltimore County. "He was our stalwart supporter and a wonderful friend to us. This college was an important part of his life."
Mr. McJilton's numerous presidencies included the Dundalk Chamber of Commerce, the Dundalk Association of Business, the Rotary Club of Dundalk, the St. Rita Home-School Association and the Dundalk Farms Improvement Association.
He was also active over the years on Baltimore County's Planning Board, the state Attorney Grievance Commission, the Selective Service Board, the Dundalk Patapsco Neck Historical Society and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 6694.
Mr. McJilton was recognized as Dundalk's Citizen of the Year in 1984 and was inducted into the Greater Dundalk Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.
A member of the Rotary Club of Dundalk, he was named a Paul Harris Fellow. He belonged to the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick.
For years, he coached club soccer as well as Little League soccer and baseball. He helped form the Dundalk Express Soccer Club. He was also involved with the Dundalk Concert Association.
Services were Thursday.
In addition to his wife of 35 years, he is survived by two sons, Michael McJilton and Ryan McJilton, both of Dundalk; two daughters, Nancy McJilton Mackin and Holly McJilton, both of Dundalk; a brother, W. Norman McJilton of Downingtown, Pa.; and two grandchildren. A son, Richard W. McJilton Jr., died in 1998.