A Service of Remembrance was held Friday, March 30, at Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home in Jefferson for James W. Walker, 78, of Grand Junction.
The Rev Daniel Emmert offered words of comfort. Honorary bearers were Doug Kaster, Dusty Clark, Bob Walker, Mike Walker, Steve Speck and John Ramirez.
Interment will be at Gosport Cemetery near Knoxville at a later date.
James (Jim) W. Walker passed away surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, March 27, 2018, at the age of 78. Jim was born February 11, 1940, to Lillian (Sanders) and Curtis L.R. Walker in Des Moines. He was the fourth child of 12.
Jim attended Des Moines Tech and during this time enlisted in the Army National Guard. Upon graduation he became a member of the Army, stationed in Hawaii (which he loved) and White Sands in New Mexico as a clerk. After six years of service, Jim returned to Des Moines in 1963. He started working in the cafeteria at Mercy Hospital where he met Barbara (Shives), who was a secretary for the dieticians and food manager at the time.
In Knoxville on July 17, 1964, Jim and Barb were united in marriage and were together for 53 years. Jim was a hard-working husband and father. At one time, he had a fulltime job at Fairplay Scoreboard and two part-time security guard positions (at Fairgrounds and Equitable Building). After four and a half years, Jim left Fairplay and went to work as a maintenance supervisor at Massey Ferguson until their production plant closed. Jim was employed at American Can Company for three years before accepting an offer in Omaha at Lozier Corporation as a maintenance supervisor. Jim and Barb moved from Council Bluffs to Grand Junction after his acceptance of a position at WCI/Frigidaire.
As a loving father, Jim enjoyed attending and participating in the activities of his children. Some of these were assistant coach for Little League, football and baseball; East High wrestling booster club; Boy Scouts; basketball; and softball. In 1988, Jim’s nephew Mike came to live with Jim and Barb and became very special to them.
Jim was very active in their church in Des Moines. During his retirement, he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. With his love of nature, Jim enjoyed the company of his pet companions and watching birds at his feeder.
Those left to honor his memory include his wife Barb; children Todd (Kristy) Walker of Hancock and Nicole Sage of Grand Junction; nephew Mike (Margaret) of Nevada; 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; brothers Jack of Grand Junction, David of Phoenix, AZ, and Don (Janice) and Edward (Ardella) of Des Moines; sisters Edith (Harold) Drake of Indianola and Helen (Don) Baker of Des Moines; many nieces and nephews; and friends.
He was preceded in death by his mom and dad; brothers Charles, Bob, and Gary; along with his sisters Joyce Hutchins and Betty Merical.
In honor of Jim, memorial contributions may be made to the Grand Junction Swimming Pool, Grand Junction.
